Odermatt wins debut World Cup downhill to reinforce dominance at Wengen

In a world that is running out of superlatives for Marco Odermatt (SUI), the Swiss ski genius keeps hitting new heights.

On home snow, down the legendary Wengen piste, Odermatt won his first Audi FIS World Cup downhill title, ticking off one of the few achievements he had left on his to-do list.

His triumph, a whopping +0.58 seconds ahead of the ever-improving Frenchman Cyprien Sarrazin (FRA) in second, and +0.81 seconds in front of a slightly sick Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (NOR) in third, is ominous for the rest of the field.

Odermatt is leader in the Crystal Globe standings for the overall, downhill, super-G and giant slalom. This result indicates that he can still improve on the near-perfect. Stay fit and the Swiss superstar might even somehow surpass last season’s record-breaking points tally.

Odermatt’s triumph has been a long time coming. He is already downhill world champion. He had recorded 11 World Cup downhill podiums without winning one.

Entering the race in supreme form, it all came together. Odermatt was remarkably fast in the steep section at the top, used his super-G turns lower down the course cleverly, and seemed glued into his tuck throughout. The demonstration of skill sent the local crowd crazy.

“To cross the finish line after Kilde, with eight tenths ahead, it was a good run, the feeling was perfect,” he said.  “I took a lot of risk and it worked out, so I knew it was going to be difficult to beat.

“It was a similar feeling to Bormio, but that wasn’t enough against Sarrazin. So I was a bit nervous when he skied. He was fast again."

The victory means Odermatt is the first male skier to win a giant slalom, a super-G and a downhill World Cup event in a single season since his compatriot Didier Cuche (SUI) in 2009/10.

He is bullish heading into two more races this weekend. “My confidence couldn’t be better, material is working perfect, and I’m ready for the two difficult races.”

Cyprien Sarrazin, who won his first ever downhill title on 28 December in Bormio, was the only man who looked capable of catching Odermatt.

Sarrazin crashed horribly in Wengen last season, burning his face while colliding with the barriers, but this year he was smooth in every section.

For the Frenchman, it was a confidence booster, a reassurance that his recent triumph was not a fluke.

“I am really satisfied, really happy, I’m between two big guys,” he said.

“I lived my Bormio win 100%, really enjoyed the moment and celebrated.

“Now I realise I can do it, I want to do it again. I’ve just arrived in the world of downhill. I need to accept my rank among the best, try to prove myself, and build myself up.

“After Bormio I was not so certain to do that again. Today is not perfect like Bormio, but it was a good run.”

He had to acknowledge Odermatt’s supremacy, however.

“Odi did a perfect run,” he said. “Five tenths [ahead] – I don’t have five more tenths on my boots. Maybe two tenths. It is satisfaction for me to ski like this again.

“I really enjoyed it, it’s perfect, but Odi was the best. To be ahead of Kilde is a victory for me. I will keep my mood [for the next races].”

Kilde, last season’s downhill champion, continued his defence of the title while suffering with a minor illness. Despite being sapped of energy, he looked excellent down this piste apart from a minor error mid-course.

“I woke up this morning and I didn’t feel like a million dollars,” said Kilde. “It was a fun race, good weather, I like Wengen. But it was hard for me to really work with the jumps.

"You’ve got to bring it the next day, so hopefully I feel a little better tomorrow. But I’m always happy with the podium, especially with Sarrazin and Odermatt.

“I’ve not had the same start, it feels like there are more people fighting for victory than last year.”

Today’s shorter downhill will be followed by a super-G on Friday and another, longer downhill on Saturday. Odermatt is going to take some stopping.

Find the full results here.