At the season finale in Sun Valley, Youngster Benno Brandis showed a bold appearance – and gives the DSV team hope for more.
It was his first big dance on the World Cup stage. At the season finale in Sun Valley, 18-year-old Benno Brandis started on Sunday (March 23, 2025) in the Super-G and delighted with his brave appearance.
Just a few weeks ago, the Allgäu crowned the junior world champion in the Super-G. He was automatically qualified for the World Cup final in the USA. Because the downhill race failed the day before due to difficult wind conditions, Brandis was even the only German driver who started for the DSV in the speed. Would he have expected participation in the World Cup final at the beginning of the season? “Nah, not at all”he said in an interview with Bavarian Radio.
Eliminated – and artistically saved
Brandis had not set itself a specific goal in advance: “I can assess it zero-comma zero. I try to show my best skiing and then I see what comes out.” The German young hopes were well traveling in the upper area, mastered the steep slope confidently – but got a blow on the outer ski in the traverse, the bond dissolved. Brandis could still hold on a ski and avoided falling, but he was still eliminated.
DSV-Speed team strongly shaken
Nevertheless: After the past difficult years in the DSV team, the appearance of Brandi’s hope of a more successful future in the men’s speed area. After the resignations of Thomas Dreßen and Josef “Pepi” Ferstl last season and the health failure of Andreas Sander, only the speed drivers Romed Baumann, Simon Jocher and Youngster Luis Vogt started this winter. Again and again the DSV assasses were thrown back by health problems.
Brandis, together with Felix Rösle, who secured the junior title in the departure, is now one of the long-awaited hopes of hopes in the men’s DSV team. The desire for more width in the team is great, the view of the future is also more positive than before the season.
Brandis with gold at Winter Youth Olympic Games
The success of the Allgäuer is no coincidence. Last year he drew attention to himself on the international stage. At the Winter Youth Olympic Games, he won the Super-G. This winter he won Super-G gold at the Junior World Cup.
Will Brandis start again in the World Cup in the coming winter? So far, the speed driver took part in two races in the second -class European Cup, missed the top 30 there. He has proven that the potential is there at the latest with his brave appearance in Sun Valley.
Now for Brandis, however, it goes back to the desk. The Abitur exams are pending in May. After that, the head is free for skiing again – and who knows what the coming season will bring.