Odermatt Wins Kranjska Gora GS; Secures GS Title

Marco Odermatt. GEPA pictures.

KRANJSKA GORA, Slovenia — Olympic champion Marco Odermatt capped what he called “a perfect season” by securing his second straight World Cup title in giant slalom Sunday.

Marco Odermatt has won his sixth GS of the World Cup season and the 13th of his career. In the final race of the 22-23 regular season, he also earned his second career giant slalom season title.

Racing in sunny and warm conditions on the Podkoren 3 course, the Swiss skier capitalized on his first-run lead to beat his only rival for the GS title, Henrik Kristoffersen, by 0.32 seconds.

Odermatt extended his season GS title lead over the Norwegian to 160 points, locking up the title because only 100 points are available at the season-ending race next Saturday.

“It’s crazy, I can’t really believe that,” Odermatt said. “It was another battle today in the second run. I made my mistakes, just before the flats, I thought ‘oh, that’s going to be tight’ so I risked it all and it worked out.”

The same three racers occupy today’s podium as Saturday’s GS. However, today Henrik Kristoffersen and Alexis Pinturault switched positions. Kirstoffersen ended the day with the fastest second run and second place (+0.32) and Pinturault added a second GS podium of the season with a third place (+0.70).

Odermatt can precisely see and execute the timing required to use his expansive skiing skills. He is likely one of the most efficient skiers in the sport’s history, but he also possesses all the tools needed to meet every challenge. His efficiency is undoubtedly reminiscent of the fantastic Swede Ingemar Stenmark.

“If you don’t call this a perfect season, then when would you do so?” the Swiss standout asked.

Odermatt has gathered 1,826 points and is closing in on the 23-year-old men’s record for most World Cup points in a single season – 2,000, set by Austrian great Hermann Maier in the 1999-2000 season.

After Sunday’s race, he draw praise from his rivals, as third-place Alexis Pinturault called Odermatt’s season “sensational” and compared him with Austrian record eight-time overall champion Marcel Hirscher.

“A bit like Marcel in the past, winning everywhere, in different disciplines, and also very strong in the big events like world championships and Olympic Games,” the Frenchman said about Odermatt.

Kristoffersen, however, thought he could close the gap to Odermatt next year, at least in GS.

“He is a little bit better at the moment but we get closer and closer,” the Norwegian said. “It’s a bit like it was with Marcel and Ted (Ligety) in the past. For two years, Ted was always ahead, then came Marcel. So let’s see what happens next season.”

Swiss coach Renzo Valsecchi set the final run of the 2022-23 World Cup regular season. He designed his course to benefit the Swiss first-run leader and it was considerably more direct and faster than the morning edition. It is always satisfying for a coach when their racer does well on a course they set. Today is one of those special days.

North Americans

The fastest North American of the day was River Radamus and he finished the day in 17th place. He also ends the regular season ranked 17th and earns his second trip to the World Cup finals. Joining him at the Andorra finals is his teammate Tommy Ford. Still finding his best form while returning from an injury, Ford finished the regular season with a 21st-place and ranked 22nd in the season standings. Scoring the second time in his World Cup career is USA’s and Global Racing’s George Steffey, 26th. Steffey had a career season and will rejoin the Stifel US Alpine Team in 2023-24.

The other North American in the points is Canadian Erik Read, 28th. Read has scored consistently throughout the season and will make another trip to the GS World Cup finals.

Radamus, Read and Ford will be the GS North American men invited to the Soldeu Andorra men’s GS final.

Notably, Belgium Sam Maes, who also skis with Global Racing, delivered the second-fastest final run to move up nine positions and finish 14th. Unfortunately, he ends the season ranked 27th and will not earn a spot in the finals.

Final results and analysis of the fastest three and North Americans

Analysis of the fastest three and North Americans

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This is a developing story, stay tuned for updates.