World Cup GS: Odermatt Shines in Grueling Gran Risa Test

Marco Odermatt GEPA pictures/Thomas Bachun

Starting five World Cups in five days, the Swiss were concerned about how much energy Marco Odermatt had remaining in his legs. However, he seemed to have found plenty in his reserves. His first run in the final GS of 2023 was everything fans hope to see from the world’s best. Today, there were only three racers within a second of the Swiss superstar. Still, this time, the closest is yesterday’s second-fastest, Croatia’s Filip Zubcic (+0.87), almost a full second behind. Odermatt has fantastic equipment; he is strong, balanced, and aggressive, but his near-perfect timing and vision are unmatched. His efficiency is undoubtedly one of the crucial reasons he doesn’t appear to lose power throughout consecutive races.

“Everything worked well,” Odermatt said. “The material fits perfectly on that hill and the snow. I have enough grip but can still play around and that’s what you need on this slope.”

The Gran Risa is undoubtedly one of the sport’s most challenging tests. Zubcic, Austrian Marco Schwarz 3rd (+0.95), who is also on his fifth day of racing, and the Slovenian Zan Kranjec 4th (+0.96) all skied amazingly but not as clean as the world’s number one. A single mistake is costly on a test as severe as this one. When Odermatt is among the very best in every timing sector from the top to the bottom, the margin for error disappears.

Unfortunately, rising star Andorran Joan Verdu, who finished third yesterday, could not finish the first run set by his coach, Jaun Lago.

North American report

Seeking redemption after not finishing his first run yesterday, Stifel US Ski Team member River Radamus skied well and ended the morning session 10th (+2.48). Unfortunately, his teammate Tommy Ford, who skied very well top to bottom yesterday, struggled and finished (+4.87) behind Odermatt and did not qualify. He delivered world-class skiing in the first and final timing sectors but nearly stopped in the second and carried little speed into the third. Ski racing is a cruel mistress, and after his excellent 9th-place performance yesterday, he did not qualify for today’s finale.

Canada’s dependable veteran, Eirk Read, continues to search for his best form. Today, he found difficulty in the first sector and did not finish. His teammate, James Crawford, is one of the few athletes who skied all the speed races in Val Gardena/Gröden and could qualify for the afternoon finale. Crawford ended the morning tied 27th (+4.61). Crawford was the only Canadian to complete the course. Both Asher Jordan and Liam Wallace found trouble and did not find the finish.

While Radamus will compete in the afternoon, the mistakes of his Stifel US Teammates George Steffey, Tommy Ford, and Isaiah Nelson prevented them from advancing. Brian McLaughlin and independent Patrick Kenney did not find the finish.

After the first 30 had skied their runs, the time spread to 5th was (+1.49), to tenth (+2.48) and 15th (+3.02). These significant time separations reveal just how demanding the Gran Risa is. The fastest thirty were separated by (4.64)—seven racers who started after the first 30 qualified. The fastest was bib 49 Austrian Joshua Sturm 17th (+3.35). The last to qualify was emerging French skier with bib 59 Leo Anguenot. Anguenot finished the morning in 23rd (+3.97).

First run fastest 30 and analysis of the fastest three and qualified North Americans

Click on images to enlarge

Analysis of the fastest three and qualified North Americans