Marco Odermatt, the Olympic champion, claimed victory in a thrilling season-opening men’s World Cup giant slalom held in Sölden, Austria, on October 22, 2023. In a tightly contested race, Odermatt edged out local favorite Marco Schwarz by a margin of just 0.24 seconds, securing his 46th career win and 27th in giant slalom.
Despite a weather-related delay that pushed back the final run, Odermatt maintained a slim advantage of 0.01 seconds going into the second run. After overcoming challenging visibility and snowfall, he completed the race with a time that showcased his skill and resilience. “It was tough for everyone with the visibility, the little snowfall, the slope, but (course workers) did a good job and so did I,” said Odermatt post-race.
Challenging Conditions and Impressive Performances
The second run began after an hour delay due to increased snowfall, which required course workers to clear the fresh snow from the race line. Low clouds initially hampered visibility, with racers reaching speeds close to 75 kph (46.6 mph). Organizers adjusted the start time twice, ultimately allowing the race to proceed when conditions improved. “They did a good job, I think it was quite a fair second run,” Odermatt remarked, expressing satisfaction with how the race unfolded.
Schwarz, who secured his first podium finish in nearly two years after battling knee and back injuries, finished strong, while Norway’s Atle Lie McGrath took third place, just 0.03 seconds behind. Odermatt praised Schwarz’s performance, highlighting the significance of his return. “It was a very strong performance from the Austrians, especially from ‘Blacky’, who is definitely back,” he noted.
During the race, Stefan Brennsteiner, another Austrian competitor, initially placed third after the opening run but slipped to fourth in the final standings. This event marked a strong start for the Austrian team, especially following Julia Scheib’s victory in the women’s race the previous day.
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Races and Competitors
The competition between Odermatt and Schwarz is reminiscent of their battle for the overall standings two years ago, where Schwarz was leading until a knee injury forced him to end his season prematurely. Odermatt, who has dominated the giant slalom title in the past four seasons, is eager to continue his success after a disappointing start last year, where he skied out of the opening race.
Last year’s winner, Aleksander Steen Olsen, did not compete in this race due to a persistent knee injury. Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, representing Brazil, faced difficulties, skiing out halfway through his first run. “It’s a fine balance between intensity and control and precision; I miscalculated that today,” he said regarding his performance.
World champion Raphael Haaser finished sixth, while former overall champion Alexis Pinturault placed 18th, 1.64 seconds behind the leader in his first race since January. River Radamus was the only American to qualify for the second run, finishing in 21st place, 1.89 seconds off Odermatt’s time.
The men’s World Cup season continues with a slalom event in Levi, Finland, scheduled for November 16, 2023, promising more thrilling races ahead.
