Featured Image: Marco Odermatt. Credit: GEPA
Marco Odermatt successfully fought through the worsening conditions to achieve another victory on the Val D’Isère giant slalom track. The 2024 overall and giant slalom globe winner has won 21 out of the 30 World Cup races in the past three seasons.
He has also been triumphant on this hill three consecutive times, so according to his record, this was an easy prediction for the top of the podium.
Despite this, the Swiss superstar has struggled to complete the last three GS events, so he needed to execute a strategic approach on his second run. Odermatt maintained a narrow lead of -0.15 over the competition after the first run but maintained a strong line on the pitch through the lower section on the second run. He concluded the day -0.08 ahead of the field.
He stated, “After not finishing the last races, I really wanted to have a good result today.”
With 23 career GS victories before the race today, Marco Odermatt has tied Ted Ligety’s (USA) record of 24 GS wins.
“I really love this place and I love this atmosphere when it is dark and snowy, like winter should be. This is exactly for me and I really like the tough conditions,” Odermatt stated.
The Podium
The Austrian team claimed second and third place with outstanding performances on the challenging hill.
Patrick Feurstein of Austria started the day wearing bib 24 and attacked from panel to panel on the second run. Feurstein started off the season, achieving 8th place in Sölden but did not qualify for the second run in Beaver Creek. He impressively sat in the leader’s chair, moving up 22 places and finished the day in 2nd.
This marks Feurstein’s first podium result in a giant slalom World Cup.
His teammate, Stefan Brennsteiner, has achieved 11 top-5 giant slalom results, which includes three podium results. This marked Brennsteiner’s fourth World Cup GS podium.
Breensteiner had a tough start to the season with a DNF in Sölden, but then he turned it around in Beaver Creek. He achieved a 10th-place result in Beaver Creek and carried that momentum into today.
North Americans
Tommy Ford of the Stifel US Ski Team delivered a strong first run, securing his position as one of only two North American competitors to advance to the second run. In the second run, he ignited from the start and was in the lead on the top but lost some speed on the pitch. Nevertheless, he completed the day, scoring his second World Cup points of the 2025 season, finishing with an 18th-place result.
His teammate, River Radamus, had a substantial lead off at the start on the second run but lost some speed on the steep pitch. He could push through to the finish and completed the day in 17th place. Only a tenth separated the two U.S. athletes.
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen Skis Out
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, wearing the leader bib, entered the day holding the highest points in the GS World Cup standings.
Braathen returned impressively after taking a year off of ski racing last season, but during the second run today, Braathen clipped a gate towards the top of the course and could not regain his rhythm. He leaned in on the pitch and skied out.
Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen finished the day impressively in 5th place, taking the lead in the World Cup GS standings with 170 points.
Clement Noël Falls First Run
The hometown favorite, Clement Noël, sadly fell on the first run. The latest report was that the French athlete did not suffer a fracture in his ankle, but he did hit his mouth. We have not received an update on whether he will race in the slalom tomorrow to shoot for another victory in front of his local crowd.
Notable Performances
Swiss athlete Luca Aerni was the highest bib number to qualify for the second run and was the first to kick out of the start gate. Taking advantage of the clean track, Aerni achieved 4th place, the best GS result of his career.
Tormis Laine from Estonia, skiing for Global Racing, claimed his first World Cup giant slalom points, finishing the day in 14th place.
Alban Elezi Cannaferina had his World Cup debut in his homeland and could execute. He successfully achieved his first points on the circuit. He finished the day in 23rd place.
Top 30 Results
Analysis of the Top Three
Analysis of the Top North Americans
First run race coverage: https://skiracing.com/marco-odermatt-sets-the-pace-with-top-position-after-first-run-in-val-disere/
About the Author: Ellie Hartman
