Cochran-Siegle Second at Stifel Birds of Prey
In the opening downhill of the season in front of an electric home crowd, Stifel U.S. Ski Team veteran and Olympic silver medalist Ryan Cochran-Siegle delivered a statement run, charging to second place at the Stifel Birds of Prey. His podium marks the first American podium in the iconic Beaver Creek downhill since 2014, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
After two difficult training days on the shortened downhill track, the weather opened up for a beautiful Colorado day. Although brisk, the snow, stage and vibe could not have been better suited for the first downhill of the season. Cochran-Siegle ran first for the U.S. team with bib four and he knew how to execute on the track.
From the top, Cochran-Siegle was in it to win it with his skis arcing each turn and a fierce drive through the flats. He would hold onto first place for almost 10 racers -- until Swiss phenom Marco Odermatt was able to squeak by him by three-tenths for Odermatt's fifth downhill win. Third place went to Norwegian Adrian Sejersted.
“As an American kid, Birds of Prey is always such a special event," said Cochran-Siegle. "It was my second World Cup start here and first (World Cup) points, so to perform in front of this crowd is special.”
After a promising super-G race at the Stifel Copper Cup on Thanksgiving day where Cochran-Siegle was poised for a podium before a massive mistake at the bottom, the result one week later proves he is skiing at a top level. It was his top World Cup downhill result since 2021.
“It’s funny, I feel like when you’re trying less hard, it actually comes your way. 33 years old and I’m still learning every day,” said Cochran-Siegle.
Steven Nyman had the last American World Cup downhill podium on the track in 2014 and was in the crowd to hug Cochran-Siegle. Daron Rahlves, who has four World Cup downhill podiums on Birds of Prey between 2002-05, was also present in the finish. American Travis Ganong took the silver medal in downhill on the Birds of Prey track at the 2015 World Alpine Ski Championships.
The other top downhiller of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, Bryce Bennett, ended up in 28th. Bennett skied solidly but knows he has another gear and looks forward to finding that in the next races.
Sam Morse, Wiley Maple, Erik Arvidsson, Kyle Negomir and Jared Goldberg also raced and landed outside of the top 30. It was notably Arvidsson’s first race back from injury - a great step in the right direction for him.
The Stifel Birds of Prey weekend has just begun. The super-G moved up a day to Friday due to weather and the giant slalom wraps the American World Cup stint on Sunday.
RESULTS
Men's downhill
HOW TO WATCH
STIFEL BIRDS OF PREY – BROADCAST PRESENTED BY CLOUDFLARE
Friday, Dec. 5, 2025
1:15 p.m. – men’s super-G – LIVE on Outside TV (free)
Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025
5:00 p.m. – men’s downhill – tape delay on NBC & Peacock
Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025
12:00 p.m. – men’s giant slalom, run 1 – LIVE on Outside TV (free)
12:30 p.m. – men’s super-G – tape delay on NBC & Peacock
3:00 p.m. – men’s giant slalom, run 2 – LIVE on Outside TV (free), CNBC & Peacock