It's A Wrap, Palisades World Cup A Success
World Cup skiing concluded in Olympic Valley with a victory by Manuel Feller of Austria, his fourth of the season. France’s Clement Noel took second place, while German Linus Strasser finished third. Following today’s race, the FIS World Cup standings have Feller, Strasser, and Noel in first, second, and third place respectively. American Jett Seymour was awarded the Stifel Bibbo Award for the best advancement in today’s race, starting at 39th and finishing in 15th place. Seymour was the only member of the U.S. team to qualify for the second run, and last year’s defending champion Alexander Steen Olsen did not make the top 30.
Featuring 69 racers from 20 countries, including six U.S. athletes, the men’s Slalom race took on 66 gates along 721 feet (220 meters) of vertical descent. In the first run, 11 competitors did not finish, while five more did not finish the second run.
“After a dramatic finish here last year and with the world’s top Slalom racers still fighting it out for this season’s overall title, we were thrilled to showcase our incredible Red Dog course for today’s competition,” said Patrick Lacey, spokesperson at Palisades Tahoe. “With blue skies and loud crowds, it was an honor to bring World Cup racing back to North Lake Tahoe and celebrate the rich ski heritage of Palisades Tahoe.”
The eighth stop on the World Cup circuit, Palisades Tahoe challenged the men’s Slalom competitors with a high-speed course thanks to ideal conditions, dedicated course and slip crews, and a host of event volunteers. Sunday brought a festive atmosphere to the entire Village at Palisades Tahoe following Saturday’s historic Giant Slalom race and free concert headlined by Ludacris, including après ski parties, an impressive vendor village, and lively grandstands full of local and visiting fans alike.
Earlier, with 59 athletes returning to Palisades Tahoe looking for a Giant Slalom World Cup win, Swiss skier and two-time defending World Champion Marco Odermatt took first place today at the Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup. After leading the pack on the first run, Odermatt grabbed his 10th consecutive Giant Slalom win by just 0.12 seconds. With this victory, Odermatt officially clinched the Men’s World Cup crystal globe for the third year running. With his first podium of the season, Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen took second place while Team USA’s River Radamus took home third. Taking place on home soil, this marks the first ever World Cup podium for Radamus, while American teammates Tommy Ford and Patrick Kenney finished in 20th and 24th places respectively.
Under sunny skies and in front of a packed and energetic crowd—including the Sierra Swiss Club and the iconic sound of their Swiss cowbells—the world’s top racers from 20 different countries took to the infamous Palisades Red Dog run. The Giant Slalom course boasts 1,267 feet (386 meters) of vertical descent along 49 gates, with pristine conditions to start the day.
“We are stoked to welcome back the Stifel Palisades Cup to North Lake Tahoe, and after a tight Giant Slalom race today, we look forward to some fast Slalom runs tomorrow,” said Patrick Lacey, PR Manager at Palisades Tahoe. “After record-breaking snow at last year’s competition, we were thrilled to show off some California sunshine during today’s race. We are grateful to our talented course crew, more than 400 dedicated volunteers, and passionate local and traveling fan base that came together to truly bring today’s event to life!”
Palisades Tahoe has a long history of international competition. A renowned ski racing venue that has trained champions since the 1960 Winter Olympics, the California resort’s legendary terrain played host to last year’s 2023 Stifel Palisades Cup for the men’s Slalom and Giant Slalom events. The course, also raced in 2017 for the women’s alpine event, is one that Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin described as “one of, if not the toughest” on the World Cup circuit.
