Kvitfjell, Norway – Italian skier Matteo Paris claimed victory in the super-G race at the FIS Alpine World Cup finals in Kvitfjell on Sunday, narrowly edging out Austria’s Vincent Kriechmayr by just seven hundredths of a second. This win marks Paris’s 26th World Cup triumph and his eighth victory at the Kvitfjell venue, solidifying his dominance on this course. Raphael Haaser of Austria rounded out the podium in third place.
The race proved challenging for Czech racer Adam Zabystřan, who finished 24th, 2.31 seconds behind Paris. While not the result he hoped for after his surprise super-G win in Val Gardena in December, Zabystřan still achieved his best-ever finish in the final standings for the super-G discipline, placing 12th overall. The performance came as the final race of the season didn’t go as planned for reigning World Cup and super-G champion Marco Odermatt, who finished 19th, nearly two seconds off Paris’s pace.
Paris Continues Kvitfjell Reign
Paris’s consistent success at Kvitfjell is remarkable. He has now won eight super-G races at the Norwegian resort, including victories in the same event last year and seven years prior. His winning time was 1:26.81, a testament to his skill and precision on the demanding course. Kriechmayr followed closely behind with a time of 1:26.88, and Haaser secured third place with 1:27.20, according to the official race results.
Zabystřan, who stunned the alpine skiing world with his unexpected victory in Val Gardena earlier this season, struggled to find his rhythm on Sunday. He finished ahead of only Canada’s James Crawford and France’s Victor Haghighata, a junior world champion. Despite the challenging race, his 12th-place finish in the super-G standings represents a significant improvement for the Czech skier.
Odermatt’s Season Finale Doesn’t Meet Expectations
The final super-G race of the season didn’t deliver the result Marco Odermatt was hoping for. The Swiss skier, who had already secured both the overall World Cup title and the super-G title, finished 19th, 1.97 seconds behind Paris. Despite the less-than-ideal finish, Odermatt’s consistent performance throughout the season secured him the top spot in the super-G standings with 425 points.
The final super-G standings saw Kriechmayr in second place with 347 points, followed by Haaser with 301 points. Franzoni secured fourth place with 285 points, and Paris finished fifth with 257 points. Zabystřan’s 12th-place finish in the discipline was a notable achievement, earning him 163 points.
Overall World Cup Standings
Looking at the overall World Cup standings after 34 of 36 races, Odermatt maintains a commanding lead with 1626 points. Brazil’s Pinheiro Braathen sits in second place with 958 points, and Norway’s McGrath is third with 844 points. Kristoffersen and Von Allmen, both from Norway and Switzerland respectively, round out the top five. Zabystřan currently holds 44th place with 168 points.
The alpine skiing season is drawing to a close, but the performances in Kvitfjell offer a glimpse into the future of the sport. Paris’s continued dominance and Zabystřan’s progress are storylines to watch as the athletes prepare for the next season. The focus will now shift to the remaining races and the anticipation for the next World Cup campaign.
What are your thoughts on Paris’s incredible run in Kvitfjell? Share your opinions in the comments below!
Disclaimer: This article provides informational content about alpine skiing and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice.
