Odermatt reigns again in Bormio as Mayer retires

On a brutally fast and tricky Bormio piste, Marco Odermatt (SUI) laid down a masterclass of super-G skiing to go into 2023 at the top of the Audi FIS World Cup standings.

It was a curious day for the sport, as Austrian great Matthias Mayer announced his retirement during the morning’s snow inspection.

But 25-year-old Odermatt showed that the future was in fine hands, continuing his epic duel with Norway’s Aleksander Aamodt Kilde.

It was Odermatt who prevailed, living dangerously on a steep, icy track that made each turn a challenge. He clattered gates but somehow stayed in control to set a scorching time of 1:29:27.

It seemed like nobody might come even within a second of him. Kilde – who started the day joint top of the super-G standings with Odermatt – risked everything in his attempt.

The Norwegian made some fine turns on the steep top section, but made two huge errors towards the end as he tried to eke out further time.

He almost fell twice, and nearly missed a late gate, which was enough to leave him well down the field in 8th.

Nobody could match Odermatt on the day, but Vincent Kriechmayr (AUT) came closest. After winning the downhill in Bormio yesterday, his brilliant form continued with a powerful run, finishing +0.64 behind.

Loic Meillard (SUI) finished third with a smooth run but was still a huge +1.22 in deficit of the leader.

“It was a perfect run, nearly, especially from split one to the finish,” said Odermatt. “It was a very difficult race, icy, a difficult course, you had to ski smart I guess, and use a little bit tactics, but it worked out for me.

“I had the feeling it was fast, but that I was one step ahead. Yesterday I was always one step behind, and that makes it so much easier.”

Kriechmayr praises Mayer after surprise retirement

After not racing yesterday, Matthias Mayer had decided to retire on Thursday morning. “I was thinking I could stop and this was a good point for it, I don’t need an exact reason,” he said.

“I am very happy about my career and the last years. I did not start yesterday and it’s a good point to quit.”

Kriechmayr said it had been an odd experience for his team. “I tried my best but it was not the easiest day for us. Matthias was our leader and he helped the younger guys and all of us a lot, so it was not easy,” he said.

“Marco is the best. He is a fantastic skier. You need to be 100 per cent to beat him because he is an amazing skier. He keeps going to the end and it is really tough for us to beat this guy. People had a lot of problems on the last part of the run, but he was amazing.”

Meillard (SUI) came third with a smooth run but was still a huge +1.22 in deficit of the leader. The technical finish suited him. “It’s amazing, I knew I could ski fast in a super-G,” he said. “I was always skiing well here in Bormio, so to stand on a podium here is amazing.

“The turns were nice. I didn’t do a downhill [yesterday], so maybe I had a bit more legs to push.”

Kilde was diplomatic about his run. “It was a tough one, trying to get the skis to grip,” he said. “I tried my best but it is small margins in this sport. Odermatt is in his own world today. It’s so icy, if you lose your grip you have no chance. But a new chance will come.”

The men’s Audi FIS World Cup tour continues on 4 January with a slalom in Garmisch. The super-G returns on 13 January in Wengen.