Swiss skier Marco Odermatt emerged victorious in the men’s World Cup giant slalom season opener at Sölden in the Austrian Alps, fending off a strong challenge from local favorite Marco Schwarz. Odermatt extended his narrow lead from the first run by 0.24 seconds in the final run, clocking in at 1 minute 56.03 seconds to secure his 46th career win, including his 27th in giant slalom.
It marked a significant comeback for Schwarz, who claimed his first podium finish in almost two years following a period of knee and back injuries. Norwegian skier Atle Lie McGrath finished third, just 0.03 seconds behind Schwarz.
Challenging weather conditions, including poor visibility and fresh snowfall, added complexity to the competition, with the race delayed for an hour before the final run. Despite the obstacles, Odermatt praised the course workers for their efforts and credited his performance for the victory.
The second run commenced after the delay to clear the snow from the race line, with improving conditions prompting organizers to push forward despite initial setbacks. Schwarz’s teammate Stefan Brennsteiner, who initially held third place after the first run, slipped to fourth in the final standings.
Odermatt acknowledged the strong performance from the Austrian team, particularly Schwarz, who narrowly missed securing a win for Austria at the season’s start. The victory in the men’s giant slalom followed Julia Scheib’s triumph in the women’s competition.
Calgary’s Erik Read and Mont Sainte-Anne’s William St-Germain faced tough competition, finishing 37th and 60th, respectively. Odermatt’s consistent success in the giant slalom discipline over the past four seasons contrasts with his early exit in the previous year’s race, which saw a Norwegian sweep of the podium.
Despite missing last year’s winner, Aleksander Steen Olsen, due to injury, the competition featured standout performances from athletes like World Champion Raphael Haaser and former overall champion Alexis Pinturault. American skier River Radamus managed to secure a spot in the second run, finishing 21st.
The men’s World Cup series will continue with a slalom event in Levi, Finland, on November 16. Fans can catch the action live on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem, following the CBC Sports broadcast schedule for more information.