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04 January 2025

Marco Odermatt Named Best Athlete At FIS Ski Fan Awards

Skiing community celebrates standout performances of 2024 with fan-voted accolades.

The FIS Ski Fan Award winners for 2024 have been announced, showcasing the achievements of ski athletes who captivated fans over the past year. Leading the pack, Marco Odermatt of Switzerland has been named the best athlete, following his exceptional performance throughout the season.

At just 27 years old, Odermatt has already made his mark on the skiing world. He clinched the overall World Cup title along with victories in the downhill, Super-G, and giant slalom disciplines. This season, he has maintained his momentum, achieving six podium finishes, including four impressive wins out of ten races so far. Fans recognized his outstanding contributions to the sport, affirming his status as the best athlete at the FIS Ski Fan Awards.

Notably, the awards also highlighted the thrilling rivalries within the sport. The dramatic face-offs between Odermatt and French skier Cyprien Sarrazin were celebrated, with fans voting them as the best rivalry of the year. Their competition reached its peak during the Kitzbühel downhill, where Odermatt finished just 91 hundredths of a second behind Sarrazin, showcasing the intensity and excitement of the race.

Alongside Odermatt’s recognition, Lara Gut-Behrami received accolades as well, sharing the spotlight with her fellow competitors. The fierce rivalry between her and Austrian skier Cornelia Hütter for the downhill globe was recognized as the standout competition among female athletes. Fans also voted for the women’s World Cup final downhill race, where Gut-Behrami narrowly missed claiming the title, as the best women’s race of the season.

While Gut-Behrami had strong performances, earning second place overall with titles in both giant slalom and Super-G, the award for best female athlete went to fellow American Mikaela Shiffrin. Shiffrin's prowess and consistency earned her fans' respect, effectively outpacing Gut-Behrami's achievements this year.

Also recognized at the awards, Camille Rast emerged as the biggest surprise of the season. The 25-year-old Swiss athlete struggled to secure her first podium finish last year but turned the tide this winter, stepping onto the podium three times and achieving her first career victory. Rast's resilience and determination captured the hearts of fans, earning her this special acknowledgment.

The comeback of the year award went to Lindsey Vonn, who at 40, continues to hold her legacy strong within the skiing community. Her shattering records and inspiring comeback story have not gone unnoticed, cementing her status as one of the sports' greats.

This year’s FIS Ski Fan Awards exemplify the unity of fan engagement and recognition of athletes' achievements. With fans participating actively to vote for their favorites, it highlights the important role fans play in the sporting community. Celebrations of athletes like Marco Odermatt, Mikaela Shiffrin, and Camille Rast, among others, remind us of the dedication and passion driving the sport forward.