Rivals reveal plans to challenge Odermatt as men’s GS season starts in Sölden
Oct 22, 2024·Alpine Skiing)
There is no denying that Marco Odermatt (SUI) will line up on Sunday (1st run 10:00 CET, 2nd run 13:00) as a huge favourite to not only win his third successive men’s Audi FIS World Cup giant slalom in Sölden (AUT) but to also kick-start yet another season of dominance.
This is, after all, a skier who has won nine out of 12 Crystal Globes in the past three seasons, is gunning for a fourth consecutive overall season title and came within one second-run mistake of completing a clean-sweep of GS triumphs last season.
But his closest challengers in 2023/24 have plans to finally change the narrative. Plus a pair of huge names – with experience of beating the Swiss man – are on the comeback trail. And there is a pack of young emerging talent to consider.
So, it is no wonder Odermatt is being cautious ahead of the traditional curtain-raiser.
“I hope I can show some good skiing again like I did last year but it’s always tough to compare season by season and be on the same level again,” he said. “I will try my best to win races again but for sure it won’t be easy.”
Meillard ready to put pressure on
Loic Meillard (SUI), the only man not called Odermatt to win a men’s GS last season, has been identified by the champion as his biggest likely rival. A true all-rounder, Meillard finished second to Odermatt in the races for the Big Globe and the GS Globe, and was fourth in slalom and eighth in super G. He has certainly put in the time to ensure his teammate’s prediction comes true.
“You are always going to have to be fit, be ready to handle anything and to be fit in every discipline which always brings different muscles into action and different kind of movements,” explained Meillard, whose sister Melanie Meillard competes across GS and slalom on the women’s World Cup tour.
“I did some karate on the side (this summer), just to learn something new and different, have a different approach of a different sport.
“On the skis, nothing very specific, tried to continue the work we did the last few years, always go in front, accept what’s coming, try to have a clean turn from start to finish. (Be) equal on all conditions."
As for whether that is enough to beat Odermatt regularly?
“That’s a very good question,” Meillard laughed. “I showed last season that it was possible to be there and to do a lot of good times. Now it’s my job to do it again. Having him say it or not wouldn’t change my plan for this season. It’s just to go out there, enjoy every race, try to perform every time and if I manage to do that hopefully we can put him under pressure.”
Zubcic backing himself
The man who completed the GS Globe podium last season is happy to be a little more direct.
“Yeah, Odi was really good last season, amazing, I mean he had nine victories in a row. So, it’s going to be really difficult to beat him but I think I have the skills and the strength to fight with him,” Filip Zubcic (CRO) said. “And I hope I will win many races against him.
“I feel really good ahead of Sölden. I had really good preparation and I am looking forward to racing.”
Braathen hoping for more headlines
In a turn of events that is delighting ski fans worldwide, the last skier to defeat Odermatt in Sölden will be back on the Rettenbach Glacier this weekend.
On 18 October 2020 a 20-year-old Lucas Braathen pushed Odermatt into second place becoming Sölden’s youngest ever men’s GS champion. A winner again on GS skis in late 2022, Braathen has returned to action after a year out and will receive plenty of crowd support.
It is not yet certain if the other iconic returnee will join him on Sölden’s famous slope. Marcel Hirscher has yet to reveal his opening weekend plans. But should the six-time GS Globe winner, who has been retired since 2019, repeat his Sölden triumph of 10 years ago it will surely create global headlines.
But is Odermatt ‘untouchable’?
Elsewhere, Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) may not have quite reached his customary GS standards last season, but the 2020 GS World Cup champion is always one to watch.
He won’t be the only Norwegian on the radar either. His compatriots, Alexander Steen Olsen, 23, Atle Lie McGrath, 24, and Timon Haugan, 27, lead the charge of the next generation. All three enjoyed breakout GS seasons last year, grabbing their first World Cup podiums.
Odermatt, however, is well aware that most eyes will be on him.
“For me it doesn’t feel like I am untouchable,” said the man who has won 21 out of 28 GS races in the past three seasons.
FACTS & FIGURES
Marco Odermatt (SUI) won both the past two men’s GS World Cup races in Sölden, in 2022 and 2021 (there was no race in 2023).
Odermatt claimed the first nine GS races of last season and was leading the 10th and final race at the World Cup Finals in Saalbach (AUT) before skiing out in run two.
Odermatt is chasing a fourth successive GS Globe and a fourth successive overall season title.
Odermatt has won 21/28 World Cup GS races in the past three seasons.
Loic Meillard (SUI) won the only World Cup GS race Odermatt did not last season, the second of his career.
Filip Zubcic (CRO) had two podium finishes last season, his first since 2021.
Lucas Braathen (BRA) became the youngest ever men’s winner in Sölden when he triumphed in 2020, aged 20. He beat Odermatt that day by 0.05 seconds.
Marcel Hirscher (NED) could become the oldest men’s GS winner in Sölden if he repeats his 2014 success on Sunday. Hirscher, 35, would eclipse Didier Cuche (SUI) by a matter of months.
Hirscher has 31 GS World Cup wins to his name and six GS Crystal Globes (2012 and 2015-2019).
Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) who won the GS Globe in 2020 and the GS World Championship gold medal in 2019, has a best finish of third in Sölden in 2022.
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