Marco Odermatt made headlines as he claimed victory at the 2024 Val Gardena Men's World Cup Downhill Ski Race, racing his way to glory on the famed Saslong course with an impressive time of 2:03.10. This victory marked his 40th career win in the World Cup and was particularly sweet as it was his first on this iconic downhill stretch.
The competition was fierce, with Odermatt finishing 45 hundredths of a second ahead of his Swiss compatriot Franjo Von Allmen, who crossed the finish line at 2:03.55. Ryan Cochran-Siegle from the USA secured third place, finishing just one hundredth of a second later than Von Allmen, contributing to what turned out to be a thrilling race.
Taking place on December 21, 2024, the event was highly anticipated as part of the 2024-2025 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup season. Fans gathered to witness the spectacular performances of world-class athletes on the challenging Saslong course, known for its technical sections and breathtaking scenery within the Dolomites.
Odermatt's win denotes not only his continued dominance but also the earnest effort he put forth on this course. "Odi, as he is fondly called, with today's triumph has not only earned the title of 'King of Sassolungo' for the year but has also matched the legendary Pirmin Zurbriggen, reaching his milestone of 40 Grand victories," noted local sports analysts.
Despite his victory, the race was not without its challenges. The course conditions varied significantly; rising temperatures and aggressive snow played tricks on the skiers. Mattia Casse, who recently won his first World Cup title, managed to achieve the best result among Italian competitors, finishing 14th, but was visibly disappointed as he aimed for stronger results after his recent success.
Casse commented on the conditions post-race, reflecting: "Today we found completely different, aggressive snow. While I was descending, it felt like I had good control, but perhaps I was lacking some speed. The expectations flipped; I expected much from the downhill and instead emerged victorious from the Super G. I've not expressed myself as well here for quite some time. I'm moving forward, and there are tough races coming; I hope to soon achieve consecutive podiums like Odermatt here at Val Gardena."
Dominik Paris, the previous year’s winner at Val Gardena, unfortunately, did not find the same success this time, finishing 25th. His honest reflection on his performance was, "I tried to give my best, but things just didn’t turn out as planned. Odermatt stood out on the Ciaslat, and I know I can't match him there; I should have performed much stronger on the sections I typically excel at." Christof Innerhofer shared some disappointment as well, concluding, "It didn’t go badly, but it could’ve been much more. I made mistakes costing me precious tenths of seconds, and though I’ve still got plenty of passion and performance left, I need to regain my complete confidence during races."
The Italian team has strong hopes for upcoming races, with Casse aiming to replicate his Super G win, and others like Florian Schieder set to compete as well. Moving forward, the FIS World Cup tour shifts to nearby Alta Badia for the traditional giant slalom.
With the race concluded, the anticipation builds for what’s next as the world of alpine skiing continues its exciting season. Marco Odermatt once again proves why he is at the top, setting the stage for more thrilling competitions and attracting attention worldwide as fans rally to support their favorites.
Fans can tune in to coverage of the World Cup on various platforms, ensuring comprehensive access to all the action and drama of the upcoming races, keeping excitement alive for the thrilling world of alpine skiing.
