Odermatt leads 1st run of WC finals GS

Marco Odermatt. GEPA pictures.

SOLDEU, Andorra — Marco Odermatt skied to a big lead (1.09 seconds) in the opening run of the men’s World Cup finals giant slalom.

Even with six 2023 World Cup GS wins and a World Championship title Odermatt didn’t lack the motivation to ski his best. As has been the case all season, his precise, complete weight transitions produced a superior outcome.

Compared to the rest of the field, France’s Alexis Pinturault skied well and will go into the final GS run of the men’s season in second position, (+1.09) behind.

Only (+0.03) behind Pinturault is Norwegian bib 19 Alexander Steen Olsen, who sits in third. The most significant move of the morning came from the young Norwegian.

While these men showed expertise, the superior skills of Odermatt were evident. The time spread among the top 10 is (+2.19), but without Odermatt, it would only be (+1.13). Notably, all four of the Norwegians racing are among the top 10.

If Odermatt finishes the race in the top three, he will surpass the men’s all-time best season mark of 2,000 points set by Austrian great Hermann Maier 23 years ago.

Odermatt has not finished worse than third in his last 16 giant slalom starts.

The overall record, among both genders, is held by Slovenian standout Tina Maze, who accrued 2,414 points when she won the women’s overall title in 2013.

The North Americans did not have the success that was hoped for in the morning run. River Radamus did not finish, and Canadian Erik Read and USA’s Tommy Ford were 18th and 22nd, respectively. However, both will start early in the second run and could capitalize on their start positions to finish among the fastest 15 and earn valuable World Cup start list points.

The second run is scheduled for noon CET.

First run 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.