Alpine ski World Cup 23/24: Marco Odermatt triumphs in Wengen to claim maiden World Cup downhill win - Results
The reigning world champion triumphed on the shortened Lauberhorn course to extend his lead in both the downhill and overall standings.
Alpine Skiing
Marco Odermatt delivered a dominant performance in the prestigious Wengen downhill on Thursday (11 January 2024), claiming his inaugural Alpine Ski World Cup victory in the discipline.
The reigning world downhill champion from Switzerland finally topped the podium after achieving eight second-place and three third-place finishes, and he did it in a spectacular way on home snow in front of roaring crowd singing his name.
Odermatt showcased his impeccable sliding skills on the shortened course of the renowned Lauberhorn track, beating the leading time set by two-time Wengen winner Aleksander Aamodt Kilde by an impressive 0.81 seconds.
Despite still recovering from a flu, the Norwegian finished in third, with Cyprien Sarrazin claiming second spot, 0.58 seconds behind the winner.
The Frenchman, who recently triumphed in Bormio, trails Odermatt also in the downhill standings, while the Swiss star also extended his lead in the overall standing.
"It was a good run, the feeling was perfect, I took a lot of risks in the Bruggli-S and Ziel-S and it worked out," Odermatt told Eurosport.
The Olympic giant slalom champion will once again be in action tomorrow (Friday) in the Super G and on Saturday in a second downhill, this time on the long course.
"Confidence couldn't be better, after the victory in Adelboden and now in the small downhill here. The material is working perfectly here, so I'm ready for the next races!" he added.
Wengen, FIS World Cup: Results from men's downhill, 11 January 2024 (top 10):
- Marco Odermatt (SUI) 1:43.32
- Cyprien Sarrazin (FRA) +0.58
- Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (NOR) +0.81
- Florian Schieder (ITA) +0.94
- Dominik Paris (ITA) +1.05
- Ryan Cochran-Siegle (USA) +1.23
- Mattia Casse (ITA) +1.24
- Otmar Striedinger (AUT) +1.25
- Alexis Pinturault (FRA) +1.43
- Justin Murisier (SUI) +1.44