Olympic ski champ Marco Odermatt wins weather-affected GS
Olympic champion Marco Odermatt claimed victory in a weather-affected men’s World Cup giant slalom event in Val d’Isere, France. The challenging Face de Bellevarde course saw dense snowfall and flat light conditions, making it a tough race for all competitors. Despite losing over three seconds in the final run, Odermatt managed to maintain his lead from the first run and secure his first points in the discipline this season.
Austrian skiers Patrick Feurstein and Stefan Brennsteiner rounded out the podium, finishing just 0.08 and 0.12 seconds behind Odermatt, respectively. Feurstein, in particular, secured his first career top-three result in the event.
“It was one of the biggest fights we’ve ever had,” Odermatt commented on the challenging conditions. He expressed his love for the snowy winter atmosphere and tough conditions, emphasizing his satisfaction with the race.
As a three-time overall champion, Odermatt’s victory was a redemption after failing to finish the last races of the previous season and the first two races of the current season. He expressed his confidence in his abilities and determination to win races, showcasing his elation with a celebratory display at the finish line.
With this win, Odermatt matched the career tally of American GS specialist Ted Ligety, who won 24 World Cup races in the discipline. Only Marcel Hirscher and Ingemar Stenmark have won more giant slaloms in World Cup history.
The changing weather conditions benefited lower-ranked skiers like Luca Aerni, who finished fourth after posting the fastest time in the final leg. Notably, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen struggled in the first run and failed to finish the second, losing his lead in the GS season standings.
Norwegian skier Henrik Kristoffersen moved up to the top of the overall standings, overtaking Odermatt by 10 points. Canadian skier Erik Read finished in 33rd place, missing out on the second run cutoff.
The race also saw the absence of Alexander Steen Olsen due to a knee injury, while Olympic slalom champion Clement Noel encountered a mishap on the course, putting his participation in the upcoming slalom event in question.
The competition in Val d’Isere showcased the resilience and skill of the world’s top skiers, with Odermatt emerging victorious in the face of challenging conditions. The event highlighted the unpredictable nature of alpine skiing and the determination required to succeed at the highest level of the sport.
