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EUGENIO MUÑOZ
Updated
His scream after crossing the finish line said it all. It was very important. Marco Odermatt, the great exponent of modern alpine skiing after Marcel Hirscher, Aksel Lund Svindal or Kjetil Jansrud, took one of the most legendary slopes of the Alpine Ski World Cupthe descent from Val Gardena in the Saslong. Forgot Those errors from the first competitions of 2024-25, are claimed in the queen of speed test and his name wins spotlights on the same day of Lindsey Vonn’s return on the women’s circuit. Equals the myth Pirmin Zubriggen with 40 wins.
Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt speeds down the course during an alpine ski, men’s World Cup downhill, in Val Gardena, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)
Odermatt He became the most successful Swiss skier with Zubriggen with 40 successes in the World Cup. In a test that is not his fetish, since he only has two wins in Relegations (those from Wengen last year). His 2:03.10 was a hit on the table, growing in the final stretch of the route. So much so that Franjo Van Allmen, who surprised from number 4, saw how the imposing previous best record (2:03.55) fell apart after Odermatt cut almost a second in the last meters.
The Odermatt’s 40 are the confirmation of a stellar skier. ‘He hunted’ Zubriggenwho was ahead of his time between the mid-80s and early 90s. Olympic downhill champion in Calgary, four-time world champion and always valued as exceptional for his excessive risk in competitions. He was also Alberto Tomba’s main rival. “He did everything. He was the most versatile. In all specialties,” said the Italian about his great rival in JotDown.
Leader of everything
At that height is Odermatt. Which also rises in the World Cup, where it begins to lead. In downhill (180 points), where he surpasses Justin Murisier (102) and the two companions on the podium in Val Gardena, Von Allmen and Cochran-Siegle. And in the general (440 points), surpassing Henrik Kristoffersen (390) and Atle Lie McGrath (282).
Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt celebrates at the finish area of an alpine ski, men’s World Cup downhill, in Val Gardena, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)
He will seek to revalidate his crowns and continue climbing in the history of the sport. Although in the men’s category the ceiling continues to be set by Stenmark and the brutal 86 victories which Mikaela Shiffrin beat in the women’s category. Odermatt, 27 years old, still has time.
