Nidwalden Marco Odermatt was on the podium four times in Kitzbühel, but never on the top step.
Sven Thomann/Blick/freshfocus
Will Marco Odermatt become the first Swiss since 2009 and Didier Défago to achieve the Wengen – Kitzbühel double? This is, in any case, what the best skier in the world is aiming for this Saturday on the formidable Streif, one of the last descents which is still missing from his impressive track record.
“Marco said it clearly: this is the objective of his season,” recalls Patrice Morisod. It even happens before the World Championships. He is really concentrated and focused on this race and he will be the overwhelming favorite. With the level he is currently showing, he is fully capable of taking on one of the last big challenges that he has not yet achieved. Especially since, when he sets a goal like that, it’s quite rare for him to miss it.”
Numerous absences
To triumph for the first time in his career in Kitzbühel, the Swiss will have to dominate young, long-toothed opponents. The competition, however, seems less fierce than in recent winters, since all of the winners since 2020 are absent (Matthias Mayer and Beat Feuz retired; Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, Vincent Kriechmayr and Cyprien Sarrazin on the flank).
“There are still dangerous runners,” warns the RTS consultant. There can also always be someone who is in full flow that day and who can cause problems for Marco. Not forgetting the changeable weather forecast for the end of the week.”
During the two training sessions, the world champion in the discipline stayed a good distance from the winners Alexis Monney (Tuesday) and Mattia Casse (Wednesday). But his 12th and 22nd ranks are nothing to worry about, the Nidwalden having the habit of slowing down during these exercises.
Marco Odermatt stayed behind during training on the Streif.
-Stefan Adelsberger/expa/freshfoc
On the other hand, what has Marco Odermatt been missing so far that he could raise his arms in Tyrol? “Kitzbühel is a fairly special descent,” explains William Besse. There are things that you must master at all costs and places where you must not make mistakes if you want to win. There are one or two key passages and, if you negotiate them badly, you are not in front.
At 27 years old, and in his ninth season on the Cirque Blanc, the skier from Buochs has however gained experience. Since 2021, he has demonstrated that he is able to win the Streif (three podiums in downhill, one in super-G).
“We must not forget that Marco comes from the giant,” continues Patrice Morisod. He then cut his teeth in super-G, a discipline which he really dominated, before only taking up downhill. So it took a while. His first victory in downhill was also celebrated at the World Championships in Courchevel and Méribel. Marco remains young and still has a lot to learn quickly. He is not the best slider on the circuit, which means he does not dominate as outrageously as in other disciplines.
An expected offensive “Odi”
The former Valais coach, however, expects to see Marco Odermatt “take a lot of risks” this Saturday in order to put an end to the anomaly. A scenario that William Besse also imagines.
“He has 100% confidence,” underlines the former downhiller with four World Cup successes. So far it hasn’t worked out in his favor, but there’s no reason why he shouldn’t take his chance once. It could very well be this year, given the season it’s having. He is clearly one of the favorites to win Kitzbühel.”
And to enter directly into the legend of his sport, by slamming the legendary Lauberhorn – Streif double.
