Marco Odermatt Triumphs in Thrilling Season Opener at Sölden

In a gripping showdown at the season-opening men’s World Cup giant slalom in Sölden, Austria, Olympic champion Marco Odermatt narrowly defeated local favorite Marco Schwarz on October 22, 2023. After a weather-related delay, Odermatt maintained a slim first-run lead of just 0.01 seconds, ultimately finishing with a winning margin of 0.24 seconds. This victory marked his 46th career win and 27th in giant slalom.

The competition was held amidst challenging conditions, with snowfall affecting visibility and necessitating a halt to the final run. The second leg of the race was delayed for over an hour as course workers cleared fresh snow from the race line. Despite these obstacles, Odermatt expressed satisfaction with the course conditions, stating, “It was tough for everyone with the visibility, the little snowfall, the slope, but (course workers) did a good job and so did I.”

Schwarz’s Return to Form

Atle Lie McGrath of Norway rounded out the podium, finishing in third place, just 0.03 seconds behind Schwarz. This marked an important moment for Schwarz, who secured his first podium finish in nearly two years after battling knee and back injuries. Odermatt acknowledged the strength of the Austrian team, particularly praising Schwarz, saying, “It was a very strong performance from the Austrians, especially from ‘Blacky’, who is definitely back.”

Conditions at the race were less than ideal. Low clouds and strong winds prompted organizers to lower the start gate, resulting in reduced run times for the top racers to under one minute. The second run, initially scheduled to begin after a 30-minute delay, eventually commenced as visibility improved. “They did a good job, I think it was quite a fair second run,” Odermatt commented.

Notable Performances and Upcoming Races

Two years ago, Odermatt and Schwarz were embroiled in a fierce contest for the overall standings, which was cut short for Schwarz due to a serious knee injury. Since then, Odermatt has dominated the giant slalom, winning the title for the past four seasons. Last year, however, he faced an unexpected setback when he skied out of the opening race, leading to a Norwegian sweep of the podium.

Last year’s champion, Aleksander Steen Olsen, was absent from the race due to a lingering knee injury. Another competitor, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen from Brazil, faced difficulties, skiing out midway through his first run. He remarked on the challenging balance of intensity and precision, stating, “I miscalculated that today.” Braathen is still pursuing Brazil’s first-ever World Cup win in Alpine skiing.

As the men’s World Cup progresses, the next event will be a slalom in Levi, Finland, on November 16. Following this season opener, the competition is expected to intensify as athletes seek to establish their standings early in the season.

With Odermatt’s victory, the stage is set for an exciting World Cup season ahead, filled with fierce competition and remarkable athleticism.