With Marco Odermatt and Loic Meillard, Switzerland has two promising trump cards for the World Cup giant slalom. Sonja Nef is looking forward to Friday’s race with blue Sport.
In the previous six World Cup giant slaloms this winter, victory went to Switzerland five times. Marco Odermatt triumphed in Sölden, Val d’Isere, Alta Badia and Adelboden – and when the man from Nidwalden was injured in Schladming, Loïc Meillard jumped into the breach.
The hopes for the World Championship race in Courchevel are correspondingly high. “The victory in the men’s giant goes through Odermatt”, blue ski expert Sonja Nef leaves no doubt and believes that the downhill world champion can only beat himself at the moment. For almost two years – and the World Cup final in Lenzerheide in March 2021 – Odermatt has been on the podium in every giant slalom he has competed in.
When asked why Meillard mightn’t be one step ahead for once, Nef says with a wink: “That’s a good question. Because Marco Odermatt is leaving. But I would give the win to both of them incredibly. They are completely different skiers and both are amazing in their own way.”
But watch out: Recently, a third Swiss also announced great ambitions. With second place, his best career performance, Gino Caviezel ensured an unexpected Swiss double victory in Schladming. Will he be able to keep up with the fastest in Courchevel? Thomas Tumler completes the strong Swiss quartet. It starts on Friday with the 1st run at 10 a.m.
