‘He’s beatable’: rivals ready to dethrone Odermatt as speed season starts in Beaver Creek
Dec 04, 2024·Alpine Skiing
No discussion of the looming Alpine skiing men’s Audi FIS World Cup speed season can take place without mention of Marco Odermatt (SUI). As keen as his competitors are to focus on their preparation, skills and set-up ahead of the action starting with the downhill in Beaver Creek (USA) on Friday 6 December, the Swiss man casts a long shadow.
No wonder. Since this time two years ago Odermatt has grabbed both super-G Crystal Globes and in March he snatched his first ever downhill title.
So, while Cyprien Sarrazin (FRA) – the man Odermatt shared an epic downhill duel with last season – stresses that “there are other things to consider”, perhaps Vincent Kriechmayr’s answer to the question, ‘what is the focus this season?’ is the most honest one.
“Marco is making everyone better, so I hope this year we can close the gap a little bit,” Kriechmayr said. “He’s impressive but of course he’s beatable.”
Stage set for ‘Downhill Kings’
While the absent Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (NOR) has an extraordinary record down Beaver Creek’s fearsomely famous Birds of Prey track, Kriechmayr joins Odermatt as the men in the downhill field with the most confidence-boosting downhill memories.
Both skiers have a best downhill finish of second in Beaver Creek – in 2022 for Odermatt, the last time the men raced there, and in 2019 for Kriechmayr.
After a somewhat disappointing downhill season last time out, the Austrian has been working relentlessly to try and catch his Swiss rival up.
“It’s not only the technique, it's also the mentality, also the physical components, also the material. I tried to get better in every part,” affirmed Kriechmayr, for whom second in Kvitfjell (NOR) in February was a sole podium finish in 2023/24.
Sarrazin was a whole lot closer to Odermatt. The Frenchman actually outscored his rival by three downhill victories to two, and only lost out on the Globe by 42 points after the final race of the season was cancelled due to weather.
It is a small gap but still one Sarrazin is keen to close.
It is perhaps no surprise the 30-year-old chose to repeat the formula. Sarrazin had started last season with a best speed finish of sixth back in 2022. Then in the space of a few months he won twice down the Hahnenkamm in Kitzbuehel, arguably skiing’s most famous slope, to go with victory in Bormio.
With Odermatt just behind him in one of those Kitzbuehel races (and third in the other) and Sarrazin second twice when Odermatt triumphed on back-to-back downhills in Wengen, it is no wonder the Frenchman admitted “it was a duel between us two”.
“We were pushing each other’s limits,” Sarrazin added, before insisting that he won’t only be focused on beating the Swiss No.1. “We didn’t lead on every course. You also have to consider the others. I think last year it annoyed them a bit to see us do runs that were a bit ahead of everyone.
“Now we have to do the same, or better, because the others will have worked just as hard.”
Veteran Dominik Paris (ITA) will be one of those seeking to join the duo at the top. The 35-year-old, who first raced in Beaver Creek back in 2009, wound back the clock with victory in Val Gardena and two other podium finishes.
Bryce Bennett (USA), the only other downhill World Cup winner last season, will lead the home charge, while fellow North American James Crawford was third the last time the men’s best speedsters did their stuff in Colorado.
Super-G stars raring to go
A similar parade of stars will be jostling when the super-G takes over on Saturday. Although a particularly warm welcome will be reserved for the returning Alexis Pinturault (FRA).
The Olympic and two-time world Alpine combined champion is returning to action in Beaver Creek for the first time since rupturing his ACL in January. He is planning to take on all three disciplines (a giant slalom will take place on Sunday 8 December) but perhaps the super-G offers the relaxed-sounding 33-year-old the best chance of coming back with a bang.
“I somehow think that it's way easier (to return from injury) now because I achieved already many things. I achieved nearly all the goals I wanted to when I was a kid. So, coming back now, it's like coming back without any stress over my head,” said Pinturault.
Beaver Creek might be a good place to start, Pinturault was third last time out in the super-G there. Just behind, of course, the great Odermatt.
“We all know Marco is the guy to beat,” Pinturault said with a laugh.
Odermatt’s super-G record is certainly worth underlining. In the past two seasons the 27-year-old has won eight of 15 races and never finished worse than fifth. The figures are almost as good in Beaver Creek, the Swiss star winning in 2019 and 2021 and coming second in 2021 (second of a double header) and 2022.
The focused Kriechmayr is the only other man in the field to have won a super-G in Beaver Creek, his triumph coming back in 2017. But there are plenty of others lining up to challenge Odermatt.
Sarrazin, a super-G winner in Wengen last season, and Paris both sparkled at times last season while Stefan Rogentin (SUI) led a Swiss one-two-three last time out. Add on the improving Raphael Hasser (AUT) and the stage is truly set for the speed kings to wow once more.
Round two of GS promises fireworks
The second round of the men’s GS will round things off in Beaver Creek on Sunday with Norway’s Attacking Vikings the men to beat. Three of the top four Norwegians bestrode the podium in the season-opener in Sölden (AUT) and Alexander Steen Olsen (1st), Henrik Kristoffersen (2nd) and Atle Lie McGrath (3rd) will no doubt see no reason why they can’t do it again.
Teammate Timon Haugan might want to question that, as will former teammate Lucas Pinheiro Braathen. Now racing for Brazil, the 24-year-old has dazzled on his return to World Cup racing after 12 months away.
Once again Odermatt is the man to beat though. The indefatigable skier won the first nine GS races of last season. But he proved he is human by skiing out in run one in Sölden, plus he has never won a GS in Beaver Creek.
It is the first time the men have raced GS here since 2019 a race won by home hero Tommy Ford (USA). One man who will sadly not be vying with Ford, Odermatt and company is Marcel Hirscher (NED). The legend of the sport who had only just returned after five years retired underwent season-ending knee surgery on Monday after tearing his left ACL in training.
Thoughts go out to the double Olympic champion who said in a statement, “Maybe I’m finally done with my journey.”
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