The man from Nidwalden celebrated his 40th World Cup victory in the downhill skiing in Val Gardena and is now the most successful Swiss skier.
The Swiss downhill skiers remained without a win for 14 years since Silvan Zurbriggen's success in Val Gardena in 2010. Last year, Marco Odermatt was only 0.11 seconds behind the Austrian winner Vincent Kriechmayr to end this dry spell. This year it worked for the man from Nidwalden.
The route in Val Gardena is not really tailored to Odermatt. “On my list of where it will be most difficult for me to win a race, Val Gardena was at the top. It’s really nice that I’ve now achieved this,” said the overall World Cup winner.
Perfect «Ciaslat» is crucial
Odermatt also clinched his third triumph in a downhill race on the original route in Val Gardena; in 2023 the race took place on a shortened “Saslong”. The victory is all the more valuable for the 27-year-old: “When I start from the top, the first 40 seconds don’t suit me. The fact that I was able to keep up so well and then win the race with the perfect ‘Ciaslat’ is simply brilliant.”
Pirmin Zurbriggen congratulates
After the turbulent race with good times even for drivers with high starting numbers, it was almost forgotten that Odermatt had achieved something historic with his triumph. Thanks to his 40th World Cup victory, he drew level with Pirmin Zurbriggen and is now, together with the Valaisan, the most successful Swiss skier in history.
Zurbriggen's reaction didn't take long to arrive: “I congratulate you on your 40th World Cup victory. They used to tell me that it would be difficult, that there would be another athlete with 40 victories in Switzerland. Now you've caught up with me. And I am convinced that you will overtake me too,” said the 61-year-old.
The sole record in Alta Badia
Odermatt reached this mark with a month and a half more under his belt than Zurbriggen, who, incidentally, retired just a few months after his last victory in 1990 at the age of just 27. For his part, the man from Nidwalden could become the sole record holder in the giant slalom in Alta Badia on Sunday.
Of course, Odermatt already has Sunday's race in mind, but first he wants to savor his most recent success. «If I hadn't made it to the podium, I would have gone to Alta Badia to train in the giant slalom. But now I'd rather enjoy the emotions a little more.”
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