James Crawford Ignites Canadian Triumph at Kitzbühel Downhill: FIS Alpine Ski World Cup 2024/25 Highlights

A powerful storm from Canada hit Kitzbühel on Saturday, January 25. In an exciting twist, James Crawford and Cameron Alexander took the men’s downhill race by surprise, outperforming top European competitors.

This win was a milestone for Crawford. It marked his first-ever victory in the World Cup. He crossed the finish line with a narrow lead of just 0.08 seconds over Switzerland’s Alexis Monney. Monney, the reigning Super G world champion, has stood on the World Cup podium four times but had never won first place until this day.

Crawford, 27, faced ups and downs earlier this season, finishing fourth twice but also falling out of the top 10 in five other races. He had placed eighth the previous day in the Super G race at Kitzbühel, so there were mixed feelings going into this run.

Starting as the twentieth skier, Crawford began the race behind Monney’s leading time. However, he made a strong comeback in the second half of the course. Many skiers struggled with the tricky bottom section, but Crawford handled it with grace. He finished with a time of 1:53.64, fist raised in triumph—a moving moment for him and for Team Canada.

“It’s a surreal experience. It’s everybody’s dream to win here,” Crawford shared after his win.

Teamwork played a role in his success. Alexander, who raced just before Crawford, provided valuable insights about the course. Although he was fifth in the Super G, Alexander also performed well in the downhill race. He initially lagged behind but gained ground in the final turns, finishing alongside Crawford and giving Canada a double podium celebration.

Monney was among the favorites going into the race. He led initially but lost some time mid-course. He rallied at the finish, but it wasn’t enough to hold off Crawford.

Meanwhile, overall crystal globe leader Marco Odermatt struggled in the final section, finishing in sixth place. The downhill win at Kitzbühel remains elusive for him—it’s one of the few achievements left in his stunning career. He did secure a Super G victory the day before, keeping him in position to win his fourth consecutive overall title this season.

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