Marco Odermatt GEPA pictures
Odermatt Holds Slim Lead as Austrians Chase at Home
SÖLDEN, Austria — Cloudy skies and light snow made for challenging visibility on the Rettenbach Glacier, setting the stage for a gritty opening to the men’s World Cup season. In Sölden, it’s all about finding rhythm early, setting the tempo before breaking over the pitch, and then carrying that speed onto the long, gliding flats below. That final section often decides the race, and today was no exception.
Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt looked calm and calculated, skiing with trademark precision on a turny course set by Belgian Sam Maes’ coach. After not finishing here last season, Odermatt came out looking like a man with something to prove. His smooth transitions and measured aggression were enough to give him the first-run lead, but only barely.
Just 0.01 seconds behind, Austria’s Marco Schwarz kept the home crowd on edge, attacking from top to bottom in search of another Austrian win on home snow. His teammate Stefan Brennsteiner sits in third, making it two Austrians in the top three heading into the second run.
With conditions continuing to shift and the margins razor thin, the second run promises a thrilling fight for the first win of the season and perhaps an early statement from the reigning overall champion.
Braathen Out Early as Conditions Challenge the Field
Several top names struggled to find their flow on the Rettenbach Glacier, with the combination of flat light, falling snow, and a turny set causing problems throughout the field. One of the biggest surprises came early as Lucas Pinheiro Braathen went out right after the first split. A number of other contenders battled visibility and timing errors, losing precious speed through the midsection and failing to carry momentum onto the flats. The difficult first run proved a true season opener test, demanding both patience and full attack from start to finish.
North Americans Face Tough Conditions
North American skiers struggled through the challenging first run, with River Radamus leading the charge. River had difficulty finding his rhythm early but managed to stay composed, positioning himself well for the second run, where he has a history of strong comebacks. As the course deteriorated and visibility remained tricky, several athletes were taken out, while the other Stifel U.S. Ski Team members starting later in the field had a hard time breaking into the top 30. Despite the tough conditions, River Radamus will be the sole North American in contention heading into the second run, as the challenging course claimed several of his teammates through DNFs or missed qualifications.
Late Bib Surprises
Slovakia’s Andreas Zampa, part of the strong Zampa brothers, delivered an impressive first run from bib 45. He attacked the course with confidence and composure through the challenging visibility that caught many others off guard. His aggressive yet controlled skiing earned him 29th position, setting him up for a strong second run and a chance to climb further up the leaderboard.
Great Britain’s rookie Freddy Carrick-Smith also impressed in his World Cup debut, attacking the course from a later start with full commitment and confidence. His performance marks him as a young athlete to watch in the future, demonstrating poise and skill under tough conditions.
Swiss Course Setter Could Favor Odermatt
The second run at Sölden will be set by Swiss coach Renzo Valsecchi, adding an intriguing dynamic to the afternoon session. With Marco Odermatt holding the lead, the course may play to his strengths, as Valsecchi knows the tendencies and rhythms of the Swiss team well. While the conditions remain challenging, having a familiar hand set the line could give Odermatt and his teammates a subtle advantage as they look to maintain or extend their positions in the hunt for victory.
First Run top thirty results
Click images to enlarge
Run Analysis of the Leaders and North American Qualifiers
About the Author: Katie Twible
