Marco Odermatt proved once again why he is the king of alpine skiing as he clinched victory at the Super-G event held at Crans-Montana, extending his remarkable dominance this season. On February 23, 2025, the reigning world champion secured his triumph with a commanding performance, finishing with a time of 1:21.53 minutes. This victory marked his 45th career World Cup win, establishing him as one of the sport's greats.
Odermatt navigated the challenging Piste Nationale flawlessly, demonstrating his expert skills and tactical acumen. He crossed the line with nearly four-tenths of a second to spare over his closest competitor, fellow Swiss ski racer Alexis Monney, who secured second place with a time of +0.28 seconds behind. Italian skier Dominik Paris rounded out the podium, finishing third at +0.39 seconds.
The event at Crans-Montana served not only as another display of Swiss skiing prowess but also as a significant moment for the Stöckli ski brand, as this marked the first World Cup double victory for the team. Odermatt and Monney’s one-two finish came just 24 hours after their teammates achieved a three-way success during the downhill event the previous day.
The atmosphere among Swiss fans was electric as Odermatt and Monney celebrated their victory and the joy of competitive skiing. Following his win, Odermatt expressed his delight, saying, "It seems like our plan didn't work today," referring humorously to the greater expectations after their downhill clean sweep. "It's crazy, we are living in a dream. It's not stopping and I hope we can continue like this," he added, reflecting on the excellent form the Swiss team has shown throughout the season.
After facing a challenging world championship where he lost both his downhill and giant slalom titles, Odermatt bounced back impressively. He showcased resilience, overcoming previous disappointments by delivering what he described as a "perfect run from the middle to the bottom." This was evident as he took control during the technical sections of the course, where many others faltered. "I was very lucky today with the light around my starting position—it helped me to see the track and really push," he explained.
With this win, Odermatt achieved another milestone, becoming the only skier to have won at least 15 World Cup races each in Super-G and Giant Slalom. He joined the exclusive club of skiers who have reached 15 victories, alongside legends like Alberto Tomba and Hermann Maier. "If I race, my goal is always victory," he commented on the pressure of maintaining high expectations for himself.
Monney, basking in the afterglow of his podium finish, expressed happiness with his performance, stating, "It was a really good run, solid from top to bottom." He acknowledged his growth as he transitioned from having no podium finishes last Christmas to now being consistently competitive, highlighting the incredible experience of skiing alongside Odermatt as both teammates and rivals.
Meanwhile, the podium had also been significant for Paris, who was making his first appearance of the season. Although he finished third, the veteran skier demonstrated he still possesses the talent and ability to compete at the highest level, especially as he prepares for the upcoming Olympic Winter Games. "I'm a bit surprised about my run and about the result," Paris said, adding the run didn't feel as good as it turned out to be.
The thrilling weekend underscored the increasing pressure on other national teams as the Swiss skiers continued their strong performances, with at least one Swiss representative consistently finishing on the podium since March 2022. Excitement is already building for the upcoming World Championships planned for Crans-Montana in 2027, with considerable expectations on the shoulders of the local athletes.
Given the competitive atmosphere and continually rising stakes, the question remains: how will the other nations respond to the relentless charge from the Swiss skiing team? For the time being, it is clear: Marco Odermatt and his compatriots are not just skiing; they are rewriting the history of the sport.