Marco Odermatt, the talented Swiss skier, solidified his status as one of the greatest athletes in alpine skiing with his remarkable victory at the Giant Slalom held on the storied Gran Risa slope of Alta Badia. This triumph marks his 41st career victory and, perhaps most significantly, elevates him as the most successful Swiss skier in World Cup history, surpassing the legend Pirmin Zurbriggen.
On December 2023, amid chilly and icy conditions, the crowd gathered at Alta Badia to witness this thrilling competition. While the atmosphere was cold, the enthusiasm of the spectators was anything but, as they cheered on their favorite competitors. The race featured intense competition, highlighted by the impressive performances of Marco Odermatt and his rivals. Initially, Odermatt finished the first run of the Giant Slalom at third place, trailing behind Filip Zubcic and Alexander Steen Olsen, who respectively held first and second places.
After analyzing the course during the first run, Odermatt showcased his remarkable prowess during the second run. He executed extraordinarily clean turns and maintained superior speed, eventually securing the top spot with a total time of 2:31.45. Leo Anguenot of France surprised everyone with his performance, finishing second with a time of 2:32.30, just 0.85 seconds behind. Alexander Steen Olsen from Norway followed closely, completing the podium at 2:32.33 (+0.88).
The race also saw notable performances from other competitors. Alex Vinatzer, the Italian skier, had quite the day; after finishing 24th during the first run, he executed a stunning second run, climbing 16 positions to finish eighth overall. His recovery and finishing position left the audience hopeful for the upcoming races. Vinatzer expressed his satisfaction, stating, "It was nice to enjoy this moment with the support of the Italian crowd. I'm convinced I managed to do what I needed,” reflecting the thrill he felt from the audience’s encouragement.
On the other hand, Luca De Aliprandini, another Italian skier, placed thirteenth. Although he did not improve his standing from the first run, his run was aggressive, filled with heart but also some hesitation, as he remarked: “It was very difficult; you can lose a lot of time with just one mistake.” His experience underlines the thrilling yet perilous nature of Giant Slalom racing.
Odermatt's recent victory strengthens his campaign for the current season, adding to his impressive momentum after winning the downhill at Val Gardena just the day before. With this Giant Slalom victory, Odermatt has captured his fourth win of the season and solidified his status as the favorite among the competitors. His accomplishment showcases not only his technical skill and speed but also the determination to excel, setting the stage for future competitions.
The final rankings highlighted the fierce competition on Gran Risa:
- 1. Marco Odermatt (SUI) - 2:31.45
- 2. Leo Anguenot (FRA) - 2:32.30 (+0.85)
- 3. Alexander Steen Olsen (NOR) - 2:32.33 (+0.88)
- 4. Filip Zubcic (CRO) - 2:32.38 (+0.93)
- 5. Timon Haugan (NOR) - 2:32.48 (+1.03)
- 6. Atle Lie McGrath (NOR) - 2:32.70 (+1.25)
- 7. Zan Kranjec (SLO) - 2:33.17 (+1.72)
- 8. Alex Vinatzer (ITA) - 2:33.39 (+1.94)
- 9. Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) - 2:33.44 (+1.99)
- 10. Thibaut Favrot (FRA) - 2:33.56 (+2.11)
The excitement continues as skiers now look forward to the special slalom event slated for tomorrow, where competitors will have yet another chance to exhibit their skills. With fantastic performances already on display, the season promises to deliver more thrilling moments for skiing enthusiasts.
