Von Allmen, Odermatt, Dominik / GEPA pictures
Odermatt Claims 50th World Cup Win as Sprint Downhill Survives Fog, Chaos
Marco Odermatt delivered again on the Saslong, winning Thursday’s sprint downhill in Val Gardena / Gröden to claim the 50th World Cup victory of his career. He has added five to his total this season. The Swiss star edged young teammate Franjo von Allmen by 0.15 seconds, with Italy’s Dominik Paris completing the podium on home snow.
The sprint race that started from the super-G start was repeatedly interrupted by fog holds, and ultimately survived a frightening crash that brought in a rescue helicopter.
Swiss One-Two, Paris Ignites Home Crowd
Swiss One-Two, Paris Ignites Home Crowd
Odermatt built an early advantage, briefly gave time back mid-course, then made the decisive difference where it always matters most — sector four through the punishing Ciaslat, where he posted the fastest split of the day.
“I saw Franjo skiing with bib six, and he already had a very, very good run,” Odermatt said. “I thought, ‘This is tough to beat.’ I started a little bit faster in the top section, and those hundredths were exactly the difference until the end.”
Von Allmen backed up his growing reputation with another fearless run, even after a slightly delayed start out of the gate.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t get off to the best start, but the rest of the run went very well,” von Allmen said. “I’m happy to take second place. Marco absolutely deserves the win — he always pushes us teammates with his strong performances and makes sure we push each other.”
Paris thrilled the Italian crowd by attacking immediately and leading through three sectors before giving up just enough time in the Ciaslat to settle for third, 0.19 back.
“My run wasn’t perfect, but it was certainly very good, so I’m extremely happy,” Paris said. “I didn’t get the entry into the Ciaslat quite right — the timing was off, and I probably lost two to three tenths there. I was very fast in the upper section of the course.”
The Italian veteran already had his eyes on Saturday’s longer downhill.
“Since Saturday’s downhill is even longer than today’s, I’m confident I can make up some time there,” Paris said. “In Val Gardena/Gröden, you have to maintain high speed in every section — if you lose a few km/h, it’s almost impossible to regain it before the finish line.”
FogFog, Holds, and a Heavy Crash Shape the Race
Multiple fog delays disrupted the rhythm of the event throughout the day. A severe crash off the Camel Humps by Norway’s Fredrik Møller brought the race to a halt and prompted a medical helicopter response.
Officials later resumed the race, and the event continued despite shifting conditions.
High Bibs Shine on a Shortened Saslong
Because of the shorter course, the margins were narrow and the back of the field remained very much in play. Two skiers with bibs 31 or higher cracked the top 10, an unusual and exciting twist in a sprint downhill.
France’s Nils Alphand (bib 47) delivered the fastest high-bib run of the day, charging into fifth at 0.27 back. Italy placed four skiers inside the top eight, delighting the home crowd, while Austria failed to place a single skier inside the top 10.
Once again, the Ciaslat proved decisive, separating those who could absorb the extreme terrain and carry speed from those who bled time.
Points List — Bibs 31+ (Top 30 Finishers)
- 47 — Nils Alphand (FRA) — 5th — +0.27
- 50 — Giovanni Franzoni (ITA) — 8th — +0.74
- 52 — Kyle Negomir (USA) — T11th — +0.91 (highest bib to score top 30)
- 37 — Christof Innerhofer (ITA) — T11th — +0.91
- 40 — Benjamin Jacques Alliod (ITA) — 14th — +0.94
- 49 — Stefan Rieser (AUT) — 17th — +0.96
- 43 — Alessio Miggiano (SUI) — 18th — +0.97
- 41 — Luis Vogt (GER) — 21st — +1.02
- 33 — Livio Hiltbrand (SUI) — 28th — +1.18
Negomir Breaks Through for the U.S. Team
The standout North American performance came from Kyle Negomir (bib 52), who attacked aggressively and delivered the best downhill result of his World Cup career, tying for 11th at 0.91 back. It marked his first-ever top-15 downhill finish.
“It feels really good,” Negomir said. “I’ve had a lot of results that were slower than what I felt my potential was. Today, we all saw there was an opportunity skiing so late, and I was able to take advantage of it.”
Negomir handled the long delays calmly — a key skill on a day defined by stops and restarts.
“If you want to be a downhiller, that’s something you have to deal with,” he said. “You try to keep the heart rate and intensity low until it’s time to go.”
James “Jack” Crawford finished as the top Canadian but outside the top 15. Overall, it was a difficult day for North America, with just one U.S. skier and one Canadian scoring points.
Veterans and Depth Add to the Drama
Italy’s Christof Innerhofer tied for 11th, at 41, turned back the clock with an inspiring run 0.91 seconds off the lead, while Germany’s Romed Baumann, at 39, finished 19th — another reminder of his enduring class.
Looking Ahead
With a super-G tomorrow and another downhill scheduled Saturday from the full top start, Odermatt will look to carry his momentum forward.
“Normally I’m better in the short downhill here,” Odermatt said. “But my training from the top was already very good. Hopefully I can find the same speed again on Saturday.”
For now, Switzerland leaves Val Gardena with another statement — and Odermatt adds yet another milestone to an already historic career.
Top 30 results
Click images to enlarge
Analysis of the top three and Other North Americans among the top 30
About the Author: Peter Lange
