Toronto’s James “Jack” Crawford wins Kitzbühel downhill, ‘the Super Bowl of skiing’

TORONTO, July 26, 2025 – James “Jack” Crawford, has become the first Canadian in 42 years to win the FIS (International Ski Federation) Men’s World Cup Downhill in Kitzbühel, Austria. Referred to as the Hahnenkamm race, the competition is recognized in Europe as the Super Bowl of alpine ski racing, and Toronto’s own, Jack Crawford wins it in front of a capacity 45,000 screaming alpine enthusiasts.

Even more incredible, Canada’s Cameron Alexander (North Vancouver, BC) finished third in what has to be one of Alpine Canada’s most storied achievements since the days of the crazy Canucks.

Crawford wins 85th edition of the Hahnenkamm

Crawford finished the 85th edition of the Hahnenkamm on The Streif course with a time of 1:53.64, .08 seconds faster than Switzerland’s, Alexis Monney to top the podium, while North Vancouver’s Cameron Alexander finished third, just .22 seconds off the pace.

The length of The Streif course is 3.312km (2.058 mi). Starting at an elevation of 1,665m (5,463 ft) the race finishes at 805m (2,641 ft) above sea level.

“I’ve been looking for my first World Cup win for a while and for it to come in Kitzbühel is surreal. I don’t have words to describe the feelings,” said Crawford, who honed his skills at Georgian Peaks ski club in Thornbury, ON, before moving to Whistler, BC.

“I’ve had good speed for a while now and I was able to go out today and ski free, with no expectations, and just send it from top to bottom. I’m still a little in shock but I think I’ll feel the win when I’m hoisting the Kits trophy tonight with my teammates and my parents,” said an exuberant Jack Crawford.

“To celebrate this with Cam in third is incredible. And it’s special to be associated with Todd Brooker and Ken Read. They are legends who have played a role in supporting me in my career,” added Crawford.

Super-G World Champion in 2023

The win marks Crawford’s fifth podium in 112 starts and his first FIS World Cup victory. Other major alpine achievements for Crawford include being crowned the 2023 World Champion in super-G and winning bronze in the super-G at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, where he also finished fourth in the downhill.

For those of you old enough to remember the days of the “Crazy Canucks,” you may recall that the last Canadian to win the Kitzbühel downhill (DH) was Toronto Ski Club’s Todd Brooker, in 1983. Just like yesterday’s double podium for Canada, Ken Read finished third that day. Alpine Canada reminds us that in 1983 there were two DH races that weekend in Kitzbühel, and Toronto’s Steve Podborski (Craigleith Ski Club) finished second the day before. Podborski had been the reigning champion at the time, winning back to back at Kitzbühel in 1981 and 82.

by Terry Lankstead

photos supplied by Mount Hahnenkamm resort and Alpine Canada

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