Men’s Swiss speed specialists and Norway’s tech titans take centre stage in Saalbach

While all-time greats, established champions and rising stars have gathered to fight for men’s World Championship glory in Saalbach, Austria from 4-16 February, there is one name that tops the rest before a single race has been run.

Despite Alpine skiing’s never-ending capacity to surprise and delight, there is no doubt that Marco Odermatt (SUI/Stöckli) starts as the firmest of favourites to better the two golds he claimed in Courchevel Meribel two years ago.

He may be on Austrian snow this time around, but even his nation’s fiercest of rivals may not be able to stop the pride of Switzerland. They, however, will do their utmost, as will a range of skiing’s finest, including Norway’s battery of top-performing technical skiers.

One thing is for uncertain, it will make for unmissable viewing.

‘Every skier dreams of medals’

Two years ago, the Downhill in Courchevel Meribel gave Odermatt one of his favourite memories so far, as he triumphed ahead of great speed rival, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (NOR). Now he is back at a World Championships, he wants more.

“The Downhill in Courchevel was fantastic for me, one of the most special days of my career,” said the man who took Downhill and Giant Slalom gold, having failed to win a World Championship medal two years prior.

“Every skier dreams of medals and this dream was still open at the World Championships after not winning a medal at Cortina (in 2021)… for sure it was a big dream come true to win.

“I can enjoy these World Championships a little bit more than maybe the last years because the pressure is a little bit gone since I have these gold medals but for sure I will look forward and try to fight for it again.”

After winning the Overall, Downhill, Super G and GS World Cup titles last season, Odermatt is once again well ahead in all four disciplines. That, added to his 2023 World titles plus his 2022 Olympic GS gold, makes it more than possible he could achieve something extremely rare.

“I know how difficult it is but I also know it is basically possible for me in Downhill, Super G and GS,” Odermatt admitted, before revealing a chink in what often looks like impenetrable armour.  

This and the fact that he has won just once while failing to finish twice in his six career races so far in Saalbach will give his rivals hope.

‘You never know if it will happen’

In the speed disciplines, Odermatt’s nearest challengers may well come from within his own team.

Franjo von Allmen (SUI/Head) and Alexis Monney (SUI/Stöckli) started this season with best World Cup finishes of fifth and eighth respectively. Now, both are World Cup winners (von Allmen claiming the Wengen Super G and Monney the Bormio Downhill) and consistent podium contenders.

As if that was not enough to get Odermatt looking over this shoulder in the team room, Justin Murisier (SUI/Head) is also a World Cup Downhill winner this season.

In the absence of injured speed superstars Kilde and Cyprien Sarrazin (FRA) plus a challenging season so far for the Austrians, it is the Canadians who have emerged as potentially Switzerland’s biggest rivals.

In a move harking back to the glory days of the ‘Crazy Canucks’, James Crawford (CAN/Head) and Cameron Alexander (CAN/Rossignol) ended what had been a Swiss sweep of the Downhill World Cup podiums this season with fine performances in Kitzbühel last month.

It was great timing for the pair, as they look to build on their nation’s excellent recent World Championship record. In the last nine editions of the men’s Downhill, Canada has claimed two golds, two silvers and a bronze, along with two golds in the past four Super G races.

“For me, the strongest memory was crossing the finish line and having a sense of relief that I had accomplished what I had always tried to at World Cups and at those types of Games,” recalled Crawford, who grabbed Super G gold in 2023, 0.01 seconds ahead of Kilde.

“Every skier definitely has that feeling that it might never happen and you never know if it will and if it will happen again. And to be able to say I was able to outpace some of the best skiers and guys who I have looked up to my whole career, it was just very cool.”

After now having finally won a World Cup race too – his Kitzbühel triumph came in his 112^th attempt – Crawford admitted it will be “easier” this time around.

History beckons for Hrobat

While the Canadians have plenty of history to draw upon, Miha Hrobat (SLO/Atomic) is making his own.

No Slovenian man has won a World Championship medal in a speed discipline in 94 years of racing, but after two Downhill World Cup podiums this season, and a handful of other top performances, Hrobat is well-placed to change that.

Pressure on home hopes

There will be tonnes of locals very much hoping one of their compatriots seizes the moment. But it may be tough in the speed disciplines, after a season in which Austria is yet to claim a Downhill podium.

Vincent Kriechmayr (AUT/Head) has all the pedigree but he will compete having only just recovered from a right knee ligament injury suffered in the Wengen Downhill.

The Austrian will be hoping memories of double speed gold in the 2021 World Championships, and World Cup Downhill victory in Saalbach the same year will propel him to a miraculous comeback story.

Things are marginally more positive for home hopes in the technical disciplines. After dominating last season, Manuel Feller (AUT/Atomic) finally showed glimpses of his best in the legendary Schladming night Slalom. Second-place was comfortably Feller’s best effort and may give him the confidence to match or better the Slalom silver he won at the 2017 World Championships.

Perennial world championship performer Marco Schwarz (AUT/Atomic) is also edging back to his best after long struggles with injury. Chances to add to his eight world championship medals await.

Attacking Vikings primed and ready

But he and the rest of the GS and Slalom specialists will have to face a Norwegian team that is flying high.

They kicked off the World Cup season in some style, by sweeping the opening GS podium in Sölden. And then, for good measure, they repeated the feat, this time in the Slalom in Wengen.

As the reigning Olympic, World Championship and World Cup champion Odermatt may be the undisputed GS King, but even he is well aware it will be tricky to hold on to his crown.

Alexander Steen Olsen (NOR/Rossignol) has won two GS World Cups to Odi’s three this season, but it is renowned big-stage performer Henrik Kristoffersen (NOW/Van Deer) who may pose the biggest threat.

GS world champion in 2019, Kristoffersen recovered from way back to add Slalom gold to his collection last time around.

To do that he will have to get the better of some teammates who have found the winning knack this season. Fellow Van Deer racer Timon Haugan (NOR) is a two-time victor, having triumphed in the most recent race in Schladming, while Atle Lie McGrath (NOR/Head) took the big one in Wengen.

“When you have won a lot of races the expectation that you are going to win again and again and again is really high,” Kristoffersen added.

Stage set for stars to shine

Arguably no current Slalom racer knows that better than Clement Noël (FRA/Dynastar). The Olympic champion has won four World Cup races already this season and will be a favourite to add one of the few titles to have eluded him so far.

Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA/Atomic) could well deny him and turn Saalbach green and yellow in the process. The 24-year-old has already put Brazil on the World Cup GS and Slalom podiums for the first time ever, now he has the chance to do so on the world stage.