Sarrazin, Odermatt and Paris Wengen podium GEPA pictures/ Mathias Mandl

Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt won his first World Cup downhill Thursday, racing the shortened Wegen course. Today, he ignited the 30,000 spectators with his second. This time, the superstar won from the top start. He delivered three home-country podiums in three days and displayed outstanding athleticism throughout the competitions. Today is his eleventh podium and his seventh victory.

The Swiss rocket Odermatt was the first of the favorites to ski. With 30,000 spectators willing him to the bottom, Odermatt did not disappoint. Skiing with superhuman ability, he crossed into the finish, igniting the crowd for the third day. His technique is fast and efficient and he refuses to slide the ski. He has the strength to hold his ideal aero position longer than anyone else. He crossed the finish line with a mind-boggling (+2.55) lead.

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The podium

The first big test of Odermatt’s run came immediately—the man who beat Odermatt to the finish the day before in the super-G French skier Cyprien Sarrazin. He had a (-0.26) advantage at the first split, but when he finished his fantastic effort, he found himself in second (+0.58) back. To say his skiing is threatening is to be the master of understatement. Immediately after the run, he told Marco Odermatt, “No more legs.”

The next podium threat skied immediately after Sarrazin, Italy’s 18-time downhill winner and this season’s Saslong’s fastest Dominik Paris. Paris and his faithful Nordica equipment once again delivered excellence. Although he was (+1.92) behind Odermatt, he earned third place on the podium.

Everyone knew the race would not be decided until the Norwegian superstar Aleksander Aamodt Kilde had finished his run. Kilde had been fighting his health and, therefore, his strength all week. Like Sarrazin, he was also ahead at the first split. However, from there, he began bleeding speed to the bottom. He began to slide his turns, unable to resist the power of an arcing ski.

Unfortunately, at the bottom, his strength was gone, and during his attempt to use his right ski to turn left to the finish, he collapsed, crashed into the A-net, and slid down alongside it to the finish. He was lying there motionless for a considerable. The race was then interrupted as it took significant time to evacuate Kilde from the finish area by helicopter. The ski racing community will be hoping for the best and they thank Kilde for all he contributes to the sport.

Norway’s Sejersted catches attention

After the hold, a dramatic moment occurred when Bib 24 Norwegian Adrian Smiseth Sejersted finished within 28 hundredths of Paris in fourth place. Notably, only Sarrazin was within a second of Odermatt, and only Sarrazin and Paris were within two seconds. The rest of the field was over two seconds slower than the champion.

After the hold for the Kilde evacuation, only Sejersted threatened the podium. The Odermatt ‘World Cup downhill victory window has been opened wide. It is also clear that Cyprien Sarrazin is his primary rival. Undoubtedly, we will see inspired victories by others, but it will take their very best. Not to mention that even the best will have days when they are not at full speed.

Three-speed races in Wengen ending with a Laubernhorn downhill from the top may not be possible for many. Today was a test of survival. In the finish, on the leader’s chair, during one of the many crash holds, the winner, Odermatt, said, ” I hope this is a lesson to never have three races here (in Wengen) again. Thankfully, this year, the weather was perfect.

Stifel US Ski Team

This week, one thing revealed was that the physical conditioning program and preparation of the Stifel US Ski Team coming into Wengen worked. Four members were able to find their way into the World Cup Points.

Like all but a very few, the best of the Stifel US Ski Team were well off the pace of the Swiss winner. However, both Ryan Cochran-Siegle, 9th (+2.77) and Bryce Bennett, 10th (2.99), showed they had the stamina to deliver a week of elite performance. Two in the top ten is something special.

Also, the third skier to start today was Stifel US Ski Team member Jared Goldberg. Goldberg is known to challenge his limits and arcing the ski to the edge of his ability. Today, he was among the majority and could not deliver his best. However, he was much better than average and finished in 16th (+3.90).

The last Stifel US Ski Team member to finish among the points was bib 32 Sam Morse 25th (+5.06). Morse has now scored a career-best four times this season, two times in downhill. He is showing his positive attitude and determination, which are paying dividends.

Alpine Canada Alpin

It has been a tough week for the talented Alpine Canada Alpin speed team. Today, the only member to score was the super-G World Champion James “Jack” Crawford, who finished 21st (4.49). Unfortunately for Crawford, he was the racer at the start gate when Kilde caused the interruption. It is never easy to perform after a long hold.

The Canadians will fight back in Kitzbühel next week.

Lauberhorn is something special

T.he Luaberhorn from the top is a two-and-a-half-minute leg-burning test of endurance and strength. There is nothing else like it. Now, add two days of training and two days of intense competition in the four days prior, and it adds up to a test that also reveals who’s skiing is the most efficient. Over the entire 2.5 miles, the racer’s complete set of skills was examined. Winning on the full-length Lauberhorn makes you a ski racing legend.

Ten athletes could start with bibs above 30 and end the day with points. The fastest of the ten was bib 33 Switzerlands Franjo Von Allmen and the last to do so was bib 52 Switzerland’s Lars Roesti 24th (+4.95). The time spread from the first to the 30th was (+5.40).

The powerful Austrians had one skier in the top ten, Vincent Kriechmayr, 5th (+2.49). The Stifel US Ski Team had two in the top ten. The home country Swiss team, had eight athletes finish in the points and the victory.

Top 30 results and analysis of the fastest three and top 30 North Americans.

Analysis of the fastest three and top 30 North Americans.