The exceptional ski racer Marco Odermatt is still in his own sphere.
After winning the overall World Cup early, the Swiss Olympic champion and world champion is also in the lead after the first run in the giant slalom in Aspen/Colorado. The 26-year-old clocked a best time of 1:05.09 minutes, with Alexander Steen Olsen from Norway (+0.12 seconds) and his compatriot Loic Meillard (+0.19) in second and third place.
The eleventh success in the “Giant” across the seasons would mean winning the small crystal ball. Only Swedish ski icon Ingemar Stenmark has won more times in a discipline in a row (14/giant slalom, 1978/79). Odermatt is also at the top of the rankings in Super-G and downhill. Austria’s “Herminator” Maier last won four balls in a single season in 2001.
Alexander Schmid, on the other hand, continues to look for his form. The parallel world champion from Fischen, who was set back by a torn cruciate ligament in spring 2023, made a driving error shortly after the start. The 29-year-old then retired after about half the run.
Odermatt is in his own league this winter. Last weekend, the gold medalist from Beijing secured the big crystal ball early. The next chance for victory will be available on Saturday at the second giant slalom in Aspen.