Val Gardena did not wait for its official downhill to disrupt the speed hierarchy. In just two races — a replacement downhill and a Super-G — the Saslong has already delivered its message: this is a venue where reference points are provisional, and authority must be reaffirmed.
Marco Odermatt won on Thursday. On Friday, he thought he had done enough again. Val Gardena disagreed.
Men’s Super-G — Zabystran, the unexpected breakthrough
The Super-G produced one of the biggest surprises of the young season. Jan Zabystran claimed victory with bib 29, delivering the first Czech men’s World Cup win in history. It was not a lucky strike, but a composed, technically precise run built around an exceptional performance in the Ciaslat section.
His time — 1:24.86 — remained untouchable. Marco Odermatt, aggressive and mostly in green, finished second at 0.22 seconds. Giovanni Franzoni completed an improbable podium on home snow.
- 1. Jan Zabystran (CZE) — 1:24.86
- 2. Marco Odermatt (SUI) — +0.22
- 3. Giovanni Franzoni (ITA) — +0.37
- Nils Allègre 4th, Matthieu Bailet 5th
At 27, Zabystran turns a discreet career into a historic moment. Previously eighth in Kvitfjell, he matched Odermatt where most others lost time. On the Saslong, that distinction matters.
Odermatt — still the reference, not yet the master
Odermatt had celebrated his 50th World Cup victory in Thursday’s replacement downhill. In Super-G, he skied with conviction and intent, briefly believing he had secured another win. Yet Val Gardena continues to resist him in this discipline.
The Swiss remains the benchmark, but his Super-G record on the Saslong is telling: still no victory. Not a weakness — a reminder that even dominance has conditions.
The replacement downhill — a signal, not a verdict
Thursday’s downhill replaced the cancelled Beaver Creek race and was never meant to define Val Gardena. It did, however, provide a reliable snapshot of form and setup.
Odermatt prevailed ahead of Franjo von Allmen and Dominik Paris, reaffirming his command of pure speed. But the true Saslong judgement remains pending.
- 1. Marco Odermatt (SUI)
- 2. Franjo von Allmen (SUI)
- 3. Dominik Paris (ITA)
An unfinished speed week
Two races, two narratives. The downhill confirmed expectations; the Super-G shattered them. Val Gardena has not delivered its full verdict yet.
- Can Odermatt assert full control?
- Are the outsiders sustainable contenders?
- Will the Saslong crown a true downhill hierarchy?
On the Saslong, speed is never proclaimed. It is earned — and confirmed.