Odermatt Edges Teammate To Retain Kitzbühel Super-G Crown
Marco Odermatt survived his stiffest test of the season on Friday, narrowly defeating Swiss teammate Franjo von Allmen to claim his second consecutive Super-G victory at the prestigious Hahnenkamm races in Kitzbühel, Austria.
In a thrilling all-Swiss battle on the storied Streif course, Odermatt produced a characteristically polished run to edge von Allmen by the slimmest of margins, demonstrating both his technical mastery and mental fortitude under pressure from an emerging talent within his own national team.
A Swiss one-two – the second of the men’s speed season – was not quite what the Austrian public were after but a second career World Cup podium for Stefan Babinsky (AUT/Head) – achieved on back-to-back weekends – eased the pain. The in-form Austrian finished just ahead of compatriot Raphael Haaser (Atomic), with 2021 hometown winner Vincent Kriechmayr (AUT/Head) rueing a scrappy top section as he ended back in seventh.
The victory, the 17th Super-G win of his career, moves Odermatt into a tie with the legendary Aksel Lund Svindal and puts him just one win shy of matching Hermann Maier for third on the all-time men’s World Cup winners list.
In a thrilling display of depth for the Swiss "Ski Team," the result came down to just three-hundredths of a second. Franjo von Allmen, Odermatt's 24-year-old teammate, sat in the leader's box with a look of disbelief as Odermatt crossed the finish line with a razor-thin advantage. Despite an imperfect landing mid-course and a line that drifted wide in the technical Hausberg section, Odermatt’s pure speed—clocking a race-high 142.9 kmph—carried him to the top of the podium.
The victory extends Odermatt's remarkable streak of success and cements his status as the dominant force in alpine skiing, though von Allmen's performance served notice that the 23-year-old is rapidly developing into a legitimate threat in the speed disciplines. The tight margin between the teammates added drama to a race that showcased the current depth of Swiss men's ski racing.
Von Allmen, who has emerged as one of the circuit's most exciting young talents this season, pushed Odermatt to the limit with an aggressive, attacking run that nearly dethroned the reigning overall World Cup champion. The result marks another strong performance for the rising star, who has collected multiple podium finishes and demonstrated increasing consistency at the highest level.
For Odermatt, successfully defending his Kitzbühel Super-G title adds another prestigious achievement to a season that has already seen him build a commanding lead in the overall World Cup standings. The 27-year-old's ability to perform when challenged—rather than relying solely on dominant margins—underscores the completeness of his racing package.
The conditions on the Streif were ideal for Friday's Super-G, with sunshine bathing the Tyrolean Alps and a well-prepared course allowing racers to attack at maximum speed. The legendary venue, best known for hosting Saturday's fearsome downhill, provided a worthy stage for the Swiss one-two finish.
The battle between Odermatt and von Allmen reflects the healthy competitive dynamic within the Swiss team, where multiple racers capable of winning creates internal pressure that elevates overall performance. Swiss ski federation coaches have cultivated an environment where teammates push each other while maintaining the collaborative atmosphere necessary for national team success.
Von Allmen's strong showing continues his breakout season, during which he has established himself as a genuine contender in Super-G and downhill events. His willingness to ski aggressively and take risks has earned him admirers throughout the circuit, and his near-miss in Kitzbühel suggests victories are imminent.
For the assembled crowds in Kitzbühel—among the most knowledgeable and passionate in ski racing—the Swiss dominance provided compelling theater even if their Austrian favorites couldn't challenge for the top positions. The Hahnenkamm weekend draws tens of thousands of spectators and represents one of the sport's unmissable events.
"It really wasn't a flawless run," Odermatt admitted to ORF television in the finish area. "The top and the final sections were good, but in the middle, I wasn't on the line I actually wanted. I was honestly a bit surprised that the green light came on at the finish."
With the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics less than three weeks away, Odermatt has firmly established himself as the favorite for gold. The Kitzbühel crowd, while hoping for a home victory, had plenty to cheer about as Austria's Stefan Babinsky claimed third place (+0.25s), marking a significant boost for the local squad ahead of the Olympic break.
The race was not without its signature Hahnenkamm drama. Norway’s Adrian Smiseth Sejersted provided the highlight reel moment of the morning, somehow staying upright and finishing fifth after a terrifying mistake on the Seidlalm jump that saw him land and recover on a single ski.
A notable absentee was Norway's Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, who withdrew from the race due to lingering back pain. His team confirmed he will also skip Saturday's downhill to focus on recovery for the Games.
