Alpine skiing » Phenomenal in the first run, Marco Odermatt finally won the second giant Alta Badia World Cup in a bit of pain. He was only ahead of the Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen by 0”20. The Nidwalden had achieved an extraordinary first round. He had relegated all his opponents to more than a second with the exception of Kristoffersen at 0”60. “Everything fell into place perfectly. I found the courage and the confidence to let go of the skis,” he explained.
Starting last where 29 riders had already passed, Odermatt experienced much more difficulty on the second course. His style, so fluid during his first run, gave way to a certain abnegation, which we are not used to seeing under the skis of the Olympic champion. He settled for the 21st time in the second run.
“A huge fight”
“It was a huge fight. I felt tired. Already during the break between the two runs, the legs became heavier and heavier. But I’m happy that it was still enough to win.” In the end, he beat Kristoffersen, who had already finished second on Sunday behind his compatriot, Lucas Braathen, eliminated yesterday in the first round. The Nidwalden wins following a marathon of four races in five days in the Dolomites.
On the most demanding of the giant slopes with that of Adelboden, the Olympic champion showed exemplary physical condition. If on Sunday he needed a run to properly execute the transition between the downhill and the giant, yesterday he reminded who is the boss.
Impressive series
At will, Odermatt still went to pick up his fifteenth success in the World Cup and his thirteenth (!) consecutive podium in the giant, World Cup and Olympics included. He had already won last year in one of the two giants contested on the Gran Risa track. He also won his third giant in four races this season. The Nidwalden of course takes off at the top of the general classification and the discipline in the World Cup. He is now 271 points ahead of Norwegian Aleksander Kilde.
Loïc Meillard took fourth place, 1’32” from the winner, thus erasing his 11th place from the day before. He lost a rank compared to his 3rd place in the first heat. He was doubled by the Slovenian Zan Kranjec. It is however the best result of the season for the skier from Hérémence, who for once finished the course less well than during his first three rounds on the Gran Risa. Ninth the day before, the Valaisan Justin Murisier experienced elimination following committing a fault on the inside ski. He had taken 11th place in the first heat. ats
Rankings
Alta Badia (ITA). World Cup. Giant gentlemen: 1. Marco Odermatt (SUI) 2’38”27. 2. Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) at 0”20. 3. Zan Kranjec (SLO) at 0”92. 4. Loïc Meillard (SUI) at 1”32. 5. Alexander Schmid (GER) at 1”38. 6. Alexis Pinturault (FRA) at 1”41. 7. Marco Schwarz (AUT) at 1”42. 8. Filip Zubcic (CRO) at 1”77. 9. Raphael Haaser (AUT) at 2”31. 10. River Radamus (USA) at 2”61. Then: 14. Gino Caviezel (SUI) at 2”97. 19. Daniele Sette (SUI) at 3”42. 28 of the 30 finalists ranked. Retired: Justin Murisier (SUI).
General (following 11 of 38 races): 1. Marco Odermatt (SUI) 796. 2. Alexander Kilde (NOR) 525. 3. Lucas Braathen (NOR) 315. 4. Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) 305. 5. Matthias Mayer (AUT) 268. 6. Vincent Kriechmayr ( AUT) and Alexis Pinturault (FRA) Then: 11. Loïc Meillard (SUI) 196. 18. Beat Feuz (SUI) 122. 19. Stefan Rogentin (SUI) 114. 21. Gino Caviezel (SUI) 103. 26. Niels Hintermann (SUI) 88.
Giant (4/10): 1. Odermatt 360. 2. Kristoffersen 265. 3. Zan Kranjec (SLO) 245. 4. Braathen 179. 5. Alexander Schmid (GER) 149. 6. Meillard 136. Then: 17. Gino Caviezel 53. 23. Justin Murisier (SUI) 29. 26. Livio Simonet (SUI) 27.
