Downhill Goes East: World Series Arrives at Whiteface Mountain, NY
The UCI Downhill World Cup is rolling into the United States, and it’s about to get seriously steep. For the second-to-last round of the 2025 season, the world’s best gravity riders are descending on Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid, New York. This stop marks a highly anticipated return of World Cup downhill racing to the US. Known for hosting two Winter Olympics (1932 and 1980), this iconic Adirondack venue is trading its icy pistes for a brand-new, high-octane downhill track.
A Track Built for Absolute Attack
Whiteface Mountain is a beast of the East. It boasts the largest vertical drop in the Eastern United States, plunging over 3,400 feet. The Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) has unveiled a course designed to push the limits of speed and control.
This fresh track covers roughly two kilometers of gnarly terrain, specifically engineered for precision and fearless determination. The course utilizes Whiteface’s intense upper slopes, featuring a wicked mix of features:
- The top section is all about steep, technical lines winding through tight, treed sections. This is where riders must maintain absolute focus and demonstrate incredible bike control.
- Once out of the woods, the course opens up into high-speed sections on the ski trails, featuring massive jumps, off-camber transitions, and alternative line options. This is a true test of a rider's ability to maintain that perfect balance.
Want to see the brutality of this course? Drop in on the course preview clip below:
The Gravity Gods are Ready: Current Standings and Schedule
The stakes are sky-high for this race, coming in as the penultimate round of the season. The overall standings are tightening up, meaning a win here could secure the crystal globe.
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In the Downhill Elite Men's category, the battle is fierce. Jackson Goldstone (CAN) is holding the lead with 1406 points, but Loïc Bruni (FRA) is right on his heels with 1269 points, followed by Loris Vergier (FRA). A mistake here could completely change the end-of-season narrative. American racer Luca Shaw is one to watch on home soil, currently sitting 7th overall and looking to move up.
The Downhill Elite Women's race is just as competitive. Valentina Höll (AUT) currently leads with 1344 points, but she faces serious pressure from Gracey Hemstreet (CAN) and Tahnée Seagrave (GBR). American Anna Newkirk is a force to be reckoned with and is currently 7th overall.
The downhill action at Whiteface Mountain runs from Friday to Saturday, with finals on Saturday afternoon. Don't miss the climax of the weekend!
- Friday, October 3: Qualifying begins with Elite Women at 12:30 PM EST, followed by Elite Men at 1:00 PM EST.
- Saturday, October 4: The main event begins with the Elite Women's Final at 1:00 PM EST, immediately followed by the Elite Men's Final at 2:10 PM EST.
Spectators are encouraged to hike along the course for an up-close, edge-of-your-seat view of the action. It’s a chance to witness the absolute speed, skill, and cojones required to dive into one of the most technical tracks on the World Cup circuit. Just as we live for those days when dream conditions show face, the cycling world is geared up for an unforgettable gravity battle on the steep slopes of Whiteface Mountain.
