The podium
- 1. Marco Odermatt (SUI) 2:03.10 minutes
- 2. Franjo von Allmen (SUI) +0.45 seconds
- 3. Ryan Cochran-Siegle (USA) +0,46
After victories in the Super-G in Beaver Creek and the giant slalom in Val d'Isère, Marco Odermatt won his first downhill run this winter. The man from Nidwalden showed his class in Val Gardena, especially in the “Ciaslat”, once again one of the key points on the “Saslong”, and replaced his compatriot Franjo von Allmen at the top at the finish. Although the route became faster, especially in the upper part, and several drivers stood out with the best split times, his time was enough to win.
This marks the end of a 14-year dry spell in Switzerland. Silvan Zubriggen celebrated his last victory in Val Gardena in 2010. For Odermatt it is the 40th World Cup victory, which brought him level with Pirmin Zubriggen. In the downhill he triumphed for the third time after the two victories on the Lauberhorn last winter. So far, a second place in December 2022 was the best result for the 27-year-old in the Val Gardena downhill. Now he achieved the masterpiece on the “Saslong”.
Von Allmen's brand lasts a long time
Before the overall World Cup winner, all the drivers had their teeth cut on Von Allmen's time. The Bernese Oberlander, who started the race with number 4, managed an outstanding run in the upper part of the route. He only lost time in the “Ciaslat”. Nevertheless, the American Ryan Cochran-Siegle remained behind the Swiss by 0.01 and the Frenchman Nils Allegre by 0.02 seconds. Only Odermatt, with start number 14, pushed him out of the lead with a lead of 0.45 seconds.
Von Allmen achieved his best result in the World Cup with second place. Previously, a 3rd place in January 2024 in the Super-G in Garmisch-Partenkirchen was his greatest success.
Extremely close race
The descent in Val Gardena was hard to beat in terms of excitement. This is shown by the short time intervals. Apart from Odermatt, who was almost half a second faster than the competition, the top 30 were very close together. Justin Murisier, in 29th place, only lost 0.82 seconds to second-placed Von Allmen.
The other Swiss in the points
- 10. Stefan Rogentin +0.68
- 12. Lars Rösti +0.76
- 17. Livio Hiltbrand +1,05
- 23. Joshua Mettler +1.14
- 28. Justin Murisier +1,27
On Friday, Stefan Rogentin narrowly missed the podium in the Super-G in fifth place. The Graubünden native also demonstrated his good form on the descent. He finished 0.68 seconds behind in 10th place, equaling his best World Cup result in the downhill.
Rösti with a dream snack
Lars Rösti was on the way to becoming a sensation. The Bernese was 0.86 seconds ahead of Odermatt at the 4th intermediate time. In the “Ciaslat”, however, like everyone else, he couldn’t keep up with his teammate. Josua Mettler and Livio Hiltbrand also kept up with Odermatt for a long time, but they only lost touch in the lower part.
This is how it continues
Before the Christmas break, the technicians are still on duty in Alta Badia. The giant slalom will take place there on Sunday, followed by the slalom on Monday. At the end of the year, the speed riders will compete in a downhill and a super-G in Bormio on December 28th and 29th.
