Giant slalom in Adelboden
Finally! Odermatt brings us our first huge victory on the Chuenisbärgli since 2008
Marco Odermatt withstands the pressure and defends the lead from the first run in Adelboden. The 24-year-old from Nidwalden is finally replacing Marc Berthod – the last Swiss to triumph in the Bernese Oberland.
Marco Odermatt with a loud cheer: The 24-year-old also wins the giant slalom home race in Adelboden.
The Swiss fans had to be patient for almost an eternity. Now, after 13 years, Marco Odermatt can finally end the dry spell. The 24-year-old from Nidwalden wins the giant slalom at Chuenisbärgli, replacing Marc Berthod as the last Swiss giant slalom winner in Adelboden.
“Difficult to put the whole thing in words,” said the beaming winner in an interview after the deed was done. «I was incredibly nervous today. When I climbed the armchair in the direction of the start house both times, tears came to me. A lot has come together these days. I tried to ignore all expectations. ”
Cheers in the Bernese Oberland
It’s hard to imagine the pressure Marco Odermatt has been under in the last few days. His performance all the more impressive. The Swiss “Sportsman of the Year” crossed the finish line 48 hundredths ahead of the Austrian Manuel Feller. Cheers in the Bernese Oberland. After the race last year had to be held without spectators due to the pandemic, the atmosphere in Adelboden returned on Saturday in compliance with the 3G rule.
«The mood was really great. I’ve always wanted to achieve something really big in this place. There is nothing better for me, ”said Odermatt into the cameras. The Frenchman Alexis Pinturault (+0.54) completed the podium with 3rd place.
Justin Murisier drove next to the podium. Although the birthday child had to make do with the unpopular 4th place, the Valais could show himself satisfied. After all, the deficit of 1.23 seconds on the podium was considerable in the end. Loïc Meillard (8th), Gino Caviezel (11th), Cedric Noger (22nd) and Daniele Sette (27th) ensured a strong Swiss Ski result overall.
Odermatt the Dominator
Back to Odermatt, who was able to win the fifth giant slalom of the season for the fourth time and is currently dominating this discipline at will. In the most difficult race of the season he shows all his skills, speaks of the most difficult competition he has ever driven. This was felt by 23 athletes who did not get to see the finish line in the first round. In the second run, only one other driver will then be eliminated.
Odermatt was not impressed by this and celebrated his 9th World Cup victory of his career in Adelboden on Saturday. The lead in the overall World Cup over the Norwegian Aleksander Kilde is now a whopping 376 points. Almost scary numbers when you consider that Odermatt is only 24 years old. The best conditions for experiencing another Swiss ski festival on Sunday with the slalom in Adelboden.