Marco Odermatt recently won the overall World Cup twice. And there is a lot to be said for a triumph for the Swiss this winter too. Serious competitors in the fight for the big crystal ball are few and far between.
Bad puns are usually forbidden, but in this case one really comes to mind. Because among the alpine men there are hardly two opinions as to who will dominate the field and the World Cup this winter. Marco Odermatt checkmates everyone again, right?
The defending champion, who won the overall World Cup last winter by a whopping 702 points ahead of the Norwegian Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, has been the hunted from the start. Only he himself or an injury, which of course no one would wish on him, can probably stop the 26-year-old Swiss on his way to winning the big crystal ball again.
Winning riders in two disciplines – progress in the downhill
Odermatt was long considered a great talent. In the meantime, after two overall World Cup victories, he has left the competition behind. This dominance is primarily due to the fact that the Olympic champion is an all-rounder – someone who can compete for victory in three competitions. The giant slalom was initially his special discipline. He has gradually improved significantly in the speed disciplines, is now also winning Super-G races (six successes last season) and is a podium candidate in the downhill.
Kilde, Kristoffersen and Schwarz in the challenger role
Of the top drivers, only the Frenchman Alexis Pinturault can offer such a range. At 32 years old, the veteran is still a serious competitor, but he has recently lost some consistency over the long season. That’s why Odermatt’s biggest opponents this winter are likely to be Aleksander Aamodt and Henrik Kristoffersen (both Norway). Odermatt himself is also counting on the Austrian Marco Schwarz.
The same applies to Aamodt as to Odermatt. The speed specialist can also compete in a third discipline, the giant slalom. The question is where the 31-year-old will focus his training. Kristoffersen, on the other hand, only competes in slalom and giant slalom. In order to finish at the top of the overall World Cup, he would have to string together victory after victory like Marcel Hirscher once did, which hasn’t necessarily become easier after the surprising retirement of Slalom World Cup winner Lucas Braathen and is difficult given the still strong competition in the technical competitions undertaking.
The shape seems to be correct
The men have only competed in one slalom this winter. The World Cup downhill runs in Zermatt/Cervinia were canceled; previously, the giant slalom in Sölden was canceled after just one run.
But already in Sölden there was at least an indication that no one should expect Odermatt to be unexpectedly weak. After one run, the Swiss took second place behind the Austrian Marco Schwarz. So the form seems to be right early in the season.
Which gives the competition hope
At the beginning of December there will be two downhill races and two Super-Gs in Beaver Creek/USA. Then at the latest it will become clear whether there is anyone in the field of drivers who can stand up to Odermatt.
What could give the competition, and Kilde in particular, hope is the somewhat uneven number of races in the various disciplines. There will be 13 downhill runs, but only eight Super-Gs. And: Many races for Odermatt also mean fewer breaks than other drivers have. On the other hand, routine can also be a factor, especially when a season is so long.