Sölden: Marco Odermatt masters the storm as Schwarz returns to glory

A tight first act under capricious skies

Sunday morning at 10 a.m., the Rettenbach glacier presented a very different face from the previous day. Saturday's variable skies had given way to markedly more difficult conditions, with intermittent snowfall complicating visibility. Belgian course-setter Paul Epstein's layout, despite starting from a lowered departure, proved no less demanding on a piste already marked by passages from Saturday's women's race.

Marco Odermatt, wearing the prestigious bib 3, wasted no time making his mark. The 28-year-old Swiss, Olympic champion and four-time giant slalom Globe winner, posts a reference time of 58.18, edging Austrian Marco Schwarz by a wafer-thin margin of 0.01 second. Starting with bib 8, Schwarz's performance set up an intriguing battle. This hundredth-of-a-second contest already promised suspense for the second run.

Behind this summit duel, Atle Lie McGrath confirmed Norway's excellent form by placing provisionally third. The Scandinavian skier, third last year on this same glacier during Norway's historic sweep, looked well-positioned to repeat his performance. Stefan Brennsteiner, with bib 1, delivered a solid run to settle into fourth position at 0.61, carrying Austrian hopes for a podium double.

Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, the Norwegian-Brazilian prodigy now racing under Brazilian colors for his second season, slid out of the course midway through. The 25-year-old skier, winner here in 2020 and fourth last year in Brazil's historic World Cup debut, saw his ambitions evaporate. "It's a delicate balance between intensity, control and precision, I miscalculated today," he analyzed afterwards, disappointed. Brazil would have to wait longer for its first World Cup victory.

Henrik Kristoffersen, last winter's seventh slalom Globe winner, stood in sixth position, while Thibaut Favrot (bib 13) and Raphael Haaser (bib 16), reigning world champion after his surprise triumph at Saalbach last February, completed the top 8 of this competitive first run. American River Radamus, sole United States representative to qualify for the second run despite a strong US presence, finished 21st at 1.89 from the leader.

An afternoon of storm and suspense

At 1 p.m., the scheduled time for the second run, weather conditions had deteriorated considerably. Snowfall intensified, drastically reducing visibility on the course set by Swiss coach Renzo Valsecchi. Course crews had to clear fresh snow accumulated on the racing line, delaying the start by a full hour. A wait that tested the favorites' nerves.

When racing finally resumed, Raphael Haaser created a sensation by posting the fastest second run with a blistering time of 56.93, climbing from eighth to sixth overall. The Austrian world champion demonstrated that his global title was no fluke, confirming his progression in giant slalom. "It's always special to be on the podium, but to be on the podium in Austria, for me, that counts enormously. My family was there, it's really beautiful," he declared, beaming despite his sixth place.

Thibaut Favrot delivered an excellent second run to climb to fifth overall (+0.63), giving France an encouraging result to start the season. His compatriot Flavio Vitale completed a fine French double in the top 10 (10th, +1.08), while Alexis Pinturault, returning after a long absence since January, finished 18th at 1.64 from Odermatt.

But all eyes converged on the top of the standings. Atle Lie McGrath, starting ninth in reverse order, delivered a magnificent run to seize provisional lead. The Norwegian, who admitted having had "an out-of-body experience" during his first run due to nerves, proved aggressive in the second. "The fact that it was so difficult—you know, we call this Viking weather—was really nice because then you had no choice. You just had to go for it," he explained with a smile, satisfied to return to the podium after standing seventh after the first run.

Odermatt masterful in adversity

Marco Schwarz had to defend his provisional second place, then Marco Odermatt attempted to preserve his microscopic advantage. The Austrian delivered an aggressive, clean second run, edging McGrath by 0.03 second. Pressure now sat squarely on the Swiss shoulders.

But Odermatt, a champion to his core, managed the situation with the composure that defines his reputation. His descent wasn't the fastest (57.85, sixth-best second run), but it was controlled enough to preserve his morning advantage and triumph with 0.24 second over Schwarz. His 46th World Cup victory, his 27th in giant slalom, once again confirms his discipline dominance.

"It was difficult for everyone with visibility, the light snowfall, the slope, but (the course crews) did a good job and so did I," the Swiss summarized with humility. "It's the perfect start to a new season. You always give a lot during summer, but you don't really know where you stand before the first race, so it's great to enter the season with this confidence already back."

Asked about his late-season giant slalom struggles last year, Odermatt admitted refocusing his summer preparation on this discipline: "I really put emphasis back on giant slalom during this preparation. It was worth it, and I'll carry this good feeling into the speed events." Arriving in the lead after crossing the finish line, he let out a resounding: "Still here!" A way to answer his DNF last year on this same glacier.

This third consecutive Sölden victory places Odermatt level with Austrian legend Hermann Maier with three wins at the Tyrolean resort. Ted Ligety (USA) and his four victories now sit in the Swiss crosshairs, along with a raft of other records. With four giant slalom Globes already secured, a fifth crown this season would equal him with American Ted Ligety in third place historically, behind Ingemar Stenmark (7) and Marcel Hirscher (6).

Notable absences

While Odermatt shone, certain absences marked this opening race. Aleksander Steen Olsen, last year's Norwegian winner who led the historic Scandinavian sweep, withdrew due to persistent patellar tendinitis, an inflammation of the patellar tendon connecting the kneecap to the tibia. An absence that denied Norway a potential new complete podium.

Henrik Kristoffersen, second in last season's giant slalom standings and seventh Sunday (+0.71), had hoped for a better campaign start. The 31-year-old Norwegian, targeting a fifth slalom Globe, will need to rebound at Levi in two weeks.

On the American side, River Radamus finished 21st, sole qualifier for the second run in a US team rebuilding after key retirements. Italian Alex Vinatzer (8th, +1.02) and Slovenian Žan Kranjec (9th, +1.05) completed a cosmopolitan, high-level top 10.

On to Levi and the season ahead

For giant slalom specialists, the next stage won't arrive until December with the Val d'Isère and Alta Badia classics. Until then, technical specialists rendezvous in Levi, Finland, on November 16-17 for the season's first slaloms, hunting grounds where Odermatt will yield the spotlight to short-discipline specialists.

But this Sunday, on the snowy heights of the Rettenbach, Marco Odermatt once again demonstrated he remains the man to beat on the World Cup circuit. Before 15,300 spectators massed on the glacier despite difficult conditions, the Swiss delivered a demonstration of control and composure that augurs a thrilling Olympic season. Schwarz reborn, Austria jubilant, and Odermatt reigning. The 2025-2026 World Cup season has launched.