The history of Swiss skiing has a new king. For a long time, Pirmin Zurbriggen was the Swiss skier to have won the World Cup the most with his solid total of 40 successes. Today, Marco Odermatt has 41 victories on the White Circus. If Vreni Schneider (55) and Lara Gut-Behrami (45) are still ahead of the Nidwalden, he is indeed the best red representative with a white cross at the male level. What upset his predecessor? Not at all, “records are made to be broken, otherwise they are useless,” laughs the Valais legend, only too happy to see Swiss skiing shine like never before. Interview.
Pirmin Zurbriggen, aren't you too sad to have lost this record for the number of victories?
No way! On the contrary, what Marco Odermatt achieves is quite extraordinary! It's really beautiful to follow, especially since there's also the style.
Did you have the opportunity to congratulate him?
Yes, I sent him a little message. I would also like to see his parents to share a good time and celebrate with them. Maybe in Adelboden or Wengen, where I will go. Or at the end of the season, with a more rested head.
You have always really appreciated “Odi”.
He is an exemplary athlete. There is none like him. It's nice to see that with him, the work pays off. He's a beautiful person and it wouldn't necessarily be the same with another athlete.
You have known him for a very long time, when his father came to see you in Zermatt in 2004. He then shared the room with your son Elia during his World Cup debut.
Yes, it's true. By following Elia, I had the chance to know the whole Odermatt family, who are really very friendly. Walti (editor's note: his father) always encouraged his son with a lot of heart, his mother (Priska) represented the quiet side. All this shows that sport can be a great school of life. This is the side that I really like.
Besides this family balance, what makes Marco Odermatt strong?
Take the example of the giant of Alta Badia. Marco was so exemplary in not breaking down! You have to know how to ski in very complicated situations because the others are very strong. Despite the mistakes he makes, Odi is in front. It shows he has something more. He still manages to stay fast!
Can we compare his skiing to yours at the time?
Not completely, because I also practiced slalom. But in the way we ski, we are very similar, we move, we put on speed, we weren't afraid of making mistakes.
And even when things are less good like at the start of the season as a giant, he always knows how to bounce back.
It's crazy! He is very strong in the head!
Where will Odi stop?
Very good question. Above all, I hope he stays healthy. But if so, he can exceed 50 wins and even go even higher! Until its advent, I was the only Swiss in the top 10 of this ranking of the most victorious World Cup winners. We were missing something, it's good to see things evolving.
Can he catch up with Ingemar Stenmark and his 86 successes?
It will be complicated all the same, I think he hopes to be number two in this hierarchy.
And this season, he will once again sweep everything in his path?
In the World Cup, I clearly think he will be untouchable, no one can compete. The World Championships are always a little different because some skiers pull out the trick of their lives on the big day.
In his wake, Marco Odermatt leads a fairly extraordinary Swiss team, that must make you happy.
Indeed, it is extremely pleasant to follow. Every race, we aim for the podiums, we vibrate, we have athletes to the maximum! It's nice to see that all the work that has been done over the years is paying off. Sometimes, I would like to kiss them all, our athletes! We came so far in 2002 and now, we have all these young people ahead at the world level. I have confidence in our youth again!
Laurent Morel
