Jeffrey Read GEPA pictures/Harald Steiner

The 2024 Alpine World Cup super-G season has been a rollercoaster of exhilarating races and intense competition. The battle for the super-G globe will be decided at the March 22nd finals in Saalbach, Austria.

The end of the men’s World Cup super-G season is approaching, highlighting Vincent Kriechmayr’s daunting task. With only the finals remaining, Marco Odermatt of Switzerland holds a commanding 81-point lead over his Austrian rival.

Despite Kriechmayr’s mathematical chance, the odds are stacked against him. His only shot at earning his second super-G globe depends on winning the Saalbach, Austria super-G finals on March 22nd, while Odermatt earns fewer than 20 points—an improbable outcome in the competitive world of ski racing.

Kriechmayr faces an uphill battle but remains determined, drawing inspiration from the sport’s unpredictability. Both athletes have previously clinched a super-G title: Odermatt in 2023 and Kriechmayr in 2021. This sets the stage for a gripping showdown that encapsulates the thrilling essence of alpine skiing.

The reigning 2022 super-G title (globe) winner, Norwegian Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, suffered an injury in Wengen, rendering him unable to compete for the remainder of the season. Despite qualifying for the finals, Kilde will not be able to race due to his injury. This development reshapes the dynamics of the competition, as Kilde’s absence leaves a void in the field and alters the contenders’ strategies.

Top 10 2024 Men’s super-G skiers entering the finals

Click on images to enlarge

The Contenders

The lineup of athletes vying for super-G glory at the finals includes a diverse mix of experience and youthful exuberance. Odermatt, the frontrunner, has been a dominant force throughout the season, securing victories and amassing an impressive point total. Meanwhile, Kriechmayr, fueled by determination, seeks to stage a dramatic comeback and snatch the title from Odermatt’s grasp. Notable mentions include France’s Cyprien Sarrazin and Nils Allègre, who have demonstrated their prowess with winning performances during the regular season.

Notable Statistics:

• Odermatt leads the standings with 81 points more than Kriechmayr.
• The average age of the 25 qualifiers is 28.8.
• Among the contenders, 22-year-old Franjo von Allmen and Lukas Fuerstein represent the youthful face of super-G racing.
• Italian veteran Dominik Paris, aged 34, brings his wealth of experience to the competition.
• Only seven countries have qualified skiers for the super-G finals.

The Nations Cup Competition

In the fiercely contested Nations Cup team competition, Switzerland leads with a formidable advantage over its rivals. With a talented roster, including Odermatt and von Allmen, Switzerland aims to maintain its dominance in alpine skiing. The average age of the Swiss team’s qualified athletes is 27.4, showcasing a blend of experience and youth.

Boosted by Kriechmayr’s stellar performances, Austria remains a strong contender, ready to challenge Switzerland’s supremacy. The Austrian team’s average age is 28.2, highlighting their seasoned lineup.

Meanwhile, North American teams, represented by Alpine Canada Alpin and the Stifel US Ski Team, are determined to leave their mark on the competition. Alpine Canada Alpin ranks fifth with 388 points, while the Stifel US Ski Team follows closely behind in sixth place with 291 points.

Men’s super-G Nations Cup standings before Saalbach

Global Representation: A Diverse Field of Competitors

Notably, only seven countries have qualified skiers for the men’s super-G World Cup finals. Switzerland leads the pack with seven athletes among the top 25, followed closely by Austria with six representatives.

Italy and Canada each have three skiers qualified for the finals, while France, Norway, and the Stifel US Ski Team are represented by two athletes each.

Additionally, Italy boasts the FIS Junior World super-G champion, Max Perathoner, aged 21, who will be invited to compete in Saalbach.

However, the competition will be missing the two Norwegian contenders due to injury, depriving the event of their talent and reshaping the dynamics of the race.

North American Representation:

North America boasts five men who have qualified for the Saalbach World Cup finals super-G event.

Leading the charge is Alpine Canada Alpin’s Jeffrey Read, aged 26. Read impressed with a podium finish in the regular season, securing seventh place overall with 158 points. His standout performance came in the final regular season super-G race, marking his career’s first podium achievement, 2nd in Kvitfjell.

Joining Read is his teammate, the reigning super-G World Champion. He concluded the season without a podium but still accumulated 126 super-G points, securing 12th place in the rankings.

Cameron Alexander, another Alpine Canada Alpin team member, demonstrated his skill with two downhill podium finishes. He ranked as the fourth-best North American in the super-G season, earning 96 points and securing 20th place.

The Stifel US Ski Team’s best is Olympic Silver medalist Ryan Cochran-Siegle. Cochran-Siegle, ranked 19th for the season, achieved two top-10 finishes in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Meanwhile, Jared Goldberg, making his first appearance in the World Cup finals super-G, earned 54 points over six regular season races, securing 23rd place in the super-G standings.

With these talented athletes poised to compete, the stage is set for an exciting showcase of skill and determination at the finals in Saalbach, Austria, on March 22nd.

Countdown to Saalbach

As the Alpine World Cup super-G finals countdown concludes, excited fans await worldwide.  With thrilling races, fierce rivalries, and the promise of glory, the stage is set for an unforgettable spectacle in Saalbach, Austria. So mark your calendars and prepare to witness history in the making as the quest for super-G supremacy reaches its thrilling conclusion on March 22nd.

The 2024 regular season top 25 men’s super-G skiers invited to Saalbach