Marco Odermatt is the benchmark of the Alpine Ski World Cup and now also takes on the leading role in Downhill after achieving today his first victory in the discipline in Wengen. He celebrated his 30th World Cup win ahead of Cyprien Sarrazin (+0.58) and Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (+0.81). Of the 10 races he competed this season, he won 6 and finished on the podium in 3 more. A seventh place in the Val Gardena Downhill was his worst result.
Marco Odermatt wins the first Downhill to become the first male skier to win a Giant Slalom, a Super-G, and a Downhill World Cup race in a single season since Didier Kuche achieved this feat in the 2009-2010 winter season.
With his sixth victory of the season, Odermatt considerably extended his overall lead in the World Cup and also distanced himself from his main rival Kilde in the Downhill World Cup.
"This is a very special moment. It was so close so often. It's, of course, unbelievable that it's finally happening here. To cross the finish line after Kilde, with eight-tenths ahead, I knew it was a good run, the feeling was perfect. I took a lot of risk and it worked out, so I knew it was going to be difficult to beat. It was a similar feeling to Bormio, but that wasn’t enough against Sarrazin. So I was a bit nervous when he skied. He was fast again. My confidence couldn’t be better, the material is working perfectly, and I’m ready for the next two races", Odermatt said.
Cyprien Sarrazin, who won his first Downhill in Bormio, was the only man who looked capable of beating Odermatt.
"I am really satisfied, really happy, I’m between two big guys. I lived my Bormio win 100%, really enjoyed the moment, and celebrated. And now I realize I can do it, I want to do it again. I’ve just arrived in the world of Downhill. I need to accept my rank among the best, try to prove myself, and build myself up. After Bormio, I was not so certain to do that again. Today is not perfect like Bormio, but it was a good run. It is a satisfaction for me to ski like this again", Sarrazyn said.
Last season's winner, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, finished in third place despite suffering some health problems in recent days.
"I woke up this morning and I didn't feel like 100%. It was a fun race, good weather, I like Wengen. I know the track so well and I knew the jump went a bit far, which happens when the timing isn't quite right", Kilde said.