Swiss ski star Marco Odermatt is positioned for a historic achievement as he competes for a record fifth consecutive victory in the World Cup giant slalom at Adelboden. In challenging conditions marked by steady snowfall and reduced visibility, Odermatt completed the first run with a time that placed him 0.49 seconds ahead of his closest competitor. This performance, despite a minor error near the finish line that cost him a few tenths of a second, demonstrated his resilience and skill on the snow-covered slopes.
Following Odermatt in the rankings was Lucas Pinheiro Braathen from Brazil, who secured the second-fastest time, while Timon Haugan of Norway came in third, trailing by 0.53 seconds. The challenging conditions at Adelboden often see first-run leaders contend with fading light during their second runs, typically starting after 14:00 when the sun disappears behind the surrounding mountains. On this occasion, the weather remained overcast, and the snow surface proved to be difficult for many competitors.
Historic Streak on the Line
Since 2022, Odermatt has claimed victory in every giant slalom event held at Adelboden, mirroring the four consecutive wins of Swedish skiing legend Ingemar Stenmark from 1979 to 1982. The giant slalom at Adelboden has been a staple of the men’s World Cup calendar since its inception in January 1967, with the inaugural winner being another skiing icon, Jean-Claude Killy.
The course, known as Chuenisbaergli, is characterized by its rolling terrain over summer pastures, culminating in a steep final slope that leads into a vibrant finish area. Typically, this area attracts a crowd of around 25,000 spectators during Saturday races, creating an electrifying atmosphere.
Before the competition began, a minute of silence was observed in memory of the victims of a tragic fire in a bar in nearby Crans-Montana, which is set to host World Cup races in three weeks. This moment reflected the solidarity within the skiing community and the impact of such events on the sport.
As the competitors prepare for the second run, all eyes are on Odermatt, who may soon etch his name further into the annals of skiing history with another victory in Adelboden.
