He made his World Cup debut in January 2004 in Les Contamines, and finished among the top thirty for the first time three days later, with a 27th place in Pozza di Fassa. Two twentieth places followed before the end of the season. The 2004–05 season was more mediocre, but the 2005–06 season was opened with a thirteenth place in Les Contamines. The 2006–07 World Cup run consisted of a tenth place in Flaine and a seventh place in Les Contamines; he also finished sixth at the 2007 World Championships in Madonna di Campiglio. In 2007–08 he finished ninth in Kreischberg and Grindelwald, before taking his first podium with a third place in Valmalenco in March. In his next World Cup events, in January 2009, he finished second in St. Johann in Tirol and won in Les Contamines.