Marco Odermatt Misses Out on Second Gold at Saalbach-Hinterglemm World Championships
Swiss ski star Marco Odermatt fell short of securing his second gold medal at the Saalbach-Hinterglemm World Championships, placing fourth in the giant slalom event. To the surprise of many, Austrian Raphael Haaser emerged victorious, securing gold for his country.
Odermatt, the reigning Super-G world champion, entered the race as the overwhelming favorite. His impressive track record includes three consecutive giant slalom overall World Cup titles, Olympic gold in Beijing 2022, and a gold medal at the World Championships in France two years ago. This season alone, the 27-year-old had already claimed three World Cup victories in his signature discipline.
However, on this occasion, Odermatt was unable to maintain his dominance. Haaser, who had already won silver in the Super-G, delivered an astonishing performance, storming from fifth place in the finals to the top of the podium. Norwegian Timon Haugan, who had led the competition at the halfway mark, ultimately finished in seventh position.
The German contingent entered the event with relatively modest expectations. Anton Grammel, Germany’s best performer, made a significant improvement in the second run, climbing ten spots to finish in 12th place. "Unlike the first run, I skied an unforgiving line," the 26-year-old remarked. Fabian Gratz and Jonas Stockinger finished in 18th and 26th positions, respectively.
Despite the strong results of some German athletes, the team remains without a medal as the World Championships approach its conclusion. Lena Dürr and Linus Straßer are among the contenders for the slalom events on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, providing Germany with an opportunity to secure a podium finish before the tournament’s end.
Detailed Analysis of the Giant Slalom Race:
Odermatt’s performance in the first run was far from his usual standard. Uncharacteristically, he made several costly mistakes, resulting in a time that placed him in sixth position. In the second run, he attempted to salvage the situation by pushing the pace, but a major error at the start of his descent dashed his hopes of a podium finish.
Haaser, on the other hand, showcased unwavering precision and consistency throughout both runs. His aggressive yet controlled approach allowed him to gain significant time on his rivals, ultimately securing victory by a narrow margin of 0.07 seconds.
Thomas Tumler and Loic Meillard, Odermatt’s Swiss teammates, rounded out the podium, winning silver and bronze respectively. Tumler delivered a remarkable second run to climb from ninth to second place, while Meillard maintained his position in the top three from the first run.
Implications for the Overall World Cup Standings:
While Odermatt’s fourth-place finish in the giant slalom is a disappointment by his own lofty standards, it does not significantly impact his overall World Cup standings. He remains in a commanding lead, with a substantial margin over his closest rivals.
German Team’s Performance and Outlook:
The German team’s performance in the giant slalom was a mixed bag. While Grammel’s improvement in the second run is encouraging, the overall results suggest that the team needs to make significant strides to compete with the top nations in technical events.
Dürr and Straßer, Germany’s top slalom skiers, will have a chance to redeem themselves in the upcoming slalom events. Both athletes are capable of challenging for podium finishes, and they will be eager to make a statement on the final weekend of the World Championships.
