“Get ready for the rush of adrenaline as the world’s top skiers descend upon Saalbach, Austria, for the 2025 FIS Alpine Ski World Championships! The men’s downhill event is always the most anticipated and thrilling showstopper of the championships, and this year promises to be no exception. The fastest, bravest, and most skilled skiers on the planet will push their limits to the max, hurtling down the treacherous slopes at breakneck speeds in pursuit of gold.
As the world’s best gather to battle it out for the coveted title, the stakes are high, and the tension is palpable. Will reigning champions defend their crowns, or will new challengers emerge to shake up the podium? With the Olympic Games on the horizon, every run counts, and every racer will be leaving it all on the mountain.
2025 FIS Alpine Ski World Championships in Saalbach: The Ultimate Preview
Event Overview
The 48th edition of the FIS Alpine Ski World Championships will take place from 4 to 16 February 2025 in the Austrian Alps, specifically in the Saalbach-Hinterglemm resort. Approximately 250 women and 380 men from over 70 nations will participate in the event, with Olympic champions Marco Odermatt, Clément Noël, Mikaela Shiffrin, Lindsey Vonn, and Sofia Goggia among the top contenders. The programme features four individual events and two team events, with a total of 10 sets of medals up for grabs.
Key Athletes to Watch
Marco Odermatt
The Swiss star enters the World Championships as the man to beat in three disciplines, with the opportunity to defend his downhill and giant slalom titles from two years ago.
Mikaela Shiffrin
The seven-time world champion will compete in her seventh World Championships, with a focus on the tech events as she aims to add to her tally of 14 medals (seven golds, four silvers, and three bronzes).
Lindsey Vonn
The 40-year-old returns to the World Championships for the first time in six years, with a strong record in downhill events and a desire to add to her medal collection.
New Team Combined Event
Format
The Team Combined event involves teams of two athletes of the same gender—one competing in downhill and the other in slalom—with the gold medal awarded to the team with the lowest combined time.
Debut
The new format makes its official debut in a senior major competition, with the World Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm serving as the first test event.
Implications
The Team Combined event is set to make its Winter Olympic appearance at Milano Cortina 2026, with the World Championships providing valuable feedback for the Olympic organisers.
How to Watch the Event
Peacock
Audiences in the USA will be able to watch the event live and on demand on Peacock.
Eurosport
In Europe, all FIS Alpine Ski World Cup events are streamed live on Eurosport’s digital platforms and Discovery+.
Schedule
The event schedule can be found on the official FIS Alpine Ski World Championships website, with live coverage and analysis available throughout the competition.
2025 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Season
Calendar
The World Cup season will feature 38 and 37 individual events in the men’s and women’s calendar, respectively, with a majority of tech races compared to speed events.
Venues
The tour will visit traditional stops such as Killington, Vermont, and Beaver Creek, Colorado, as well as new venues like Levi, Finland, and Gurgl, Austria.
New Format
The World Cup season will introduce a reduced number of venues, with a focus on improving logistics and increasing safety.
Mandatory Changes
The International Federation has made mandatory the use of airbags for all downhill and super-G skiers, and given an explicit recommendation for cut-resistant underwear.
Key Skiers to Watch
Odermatt’s Rivals
The Swiss star will face challenges from within his team, with Loic Meillard and Manuel Feller aiming to push him for the overall title.
New Faces
The tour will feature a range of new faces, including rising stars like Zrinka Ljutić, Alice Robinson, and Lara Colturi.
Veterans
Experienced skiers like Henrik Kristoffersen and Clement Noel will look to challenge the young talent and defend their titles.
Men’s Downhill at 2025 FIS Alpine Ski World Championships in Saalbach
Schedule
The men’s competitions at the 2025 FIS Alpine Ski World Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm will begin with the Super-G on Friday, 7 February.
Key Contenders
Marco Odermatt leads the discipline’s standings with two World Cup wins, including the prestigious Kitzbühel event. The Swiss star, who fell short of a medal in Courchevel 2023 despite being the favourite, headlines the contenders alongside local hope Vincent Kriechmayr.
How to Watch the Event
Peacock
Audiences in the USA will be able to watch the race live and on demand on Peacock.
Eurosport
In Europe, all FIS Alpine Ski World Cup events are streamed live on Eurosport’s digital platforms and Discovery+.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the upcoming men’s downhill event at the 2025 FIS Alpine Ski World Championships in Saalbach promises to be an electrifying spectacle, bringing together the world’s best skiers to compete for the top spot on the podium. Our preview has highlighted the key players, schedule, and viewing options, giving fans a comprehensive understanding of what to expect.
The significance of this event cannot be overstated, as it marks a crucial milestone in the skiing calendar, showcasing the skills and determination of the world’s top athletes. The 2025 FIS Alpine Ski World Championships will not only crown the best downhill skiers but also provide a platform for new talent to emerge and for established stars to solidify their positions.