Braathen Aims for Odermatt’s Crown as Women’s Crystal Globe Opens Up in 2026‑27 Alpine Ski World Cup

Norwegian rising star Lucas Pinheiro Braathen entered the opening weekend of the 2026‑27 Alpine Ski World Cup with a clear objective: to challenge Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt for the coveted overall title. While the men’s race for the Crystal Globe remains a tightly contested duel, the women’s competition has already become a far more open field after a wave of retirements and injury setbacks reshaped the podium picture.

Odermatt, the defending champion who secured his first overall victory last season, will need to defend his lead across the traditional mix of downhill, super‑G, giant slalom and slalom events. Braathen, who posted several top‑five finishes in the previous campaign, believes his versatility and recent improvements on speed courses give him a realistic shot at dethroning the Swiss veteran. “I’m focused on consistency and taking advantage of every start,” Braathen said in a pre‑season interview, emphasizing his intent to stay within striking distance throughout the year.

On the women’s side, the departure of several long‑standing contenders and the lingering effects of injuries to key athletes have created a vacuum at the top. Names such as former champion Sofia Goggia and rising American Mikaela Shiffrin remain in the mix, but the overall title is now considered wide open, with multiple skiers capable of mounting a challenge in both speed and technical disciplines.

The expanded schedule this season includes 38 events across 21 venues, stretching from the opening runs in Sölden, Austria, to the season finale in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Organisers have also introduced a few new stops in the Alpine region to boost regional engagement and provide fresh terrain for athletes. The revised calendar aims to balance traditional venues with emerging ski resorts, offering fans a broader geographic spread of competition.

For viewers, the World Cup will be accessible through a combination of free live streams and traditional broadcast channels. In Europe, the races will be streamed live on the official FIS website and the Eurosport Player, both offering complimentary access for the first two weeks of the season before a subscription is required. In North America, NBC Sports will carry live coverage on its main network and the Peacock streaming platform, with a free tier that includes the opening weekend and select marquee events.

Broadcasters in Asia and Oceania have secured rights through local partners, with live streams available on platforms such as SonyLIV in India and Kayo Sports in Australia. Additionally, the International Ski Federation has partnered with YouTube to provide a global live feed for select races, allowing fans without regional deals to watch key moments without a subscription.

Analysts suggest that the accessibility of the sport through multiple free and low‑cost channels could broaden its audience, especially among younger viewers accustomed to digital streaming. The combination of a compelling men’s title chase and a highly unpredictable women’s race is expected to generate heightened interest, potentially translating into higher viewership numbers across the board.

As the season unfolds, the battle for the overall Crystal Globes will likely hinge on consistency, injury management, and the ability to perform under pressure in a variety of conditions. With Braathen poised to test Odermatt’s dominance and the women's leaderboard wide open, the 2026‑27 Alpine Ski World Cup promises a dramatic narrative for both athletes and fans alike.