Odermatt Takes Val Gardena Downhill Win

The "Swissblade" shows no signs of slowing down. Marco Odermatt continued his relentless march through the 2025-26 season on Thursday, mastering a fog-shrouded Saslong course to claim victory in the Val Gardena downhill and secure a historic 50th career World Cup win.

With this triumph, the 28-year-old Swiss superstar moves into a tie with the legendary Italian "La Bomba" Alberto Tomba for fourth on the all-time men’s World Cup win list. Only Ingemar Stenmark (86), Marcel Hirscher (67), and Hermann Maier (54) now stand ahead of him.

Marco Odermatt produced a trademark, daring run down the shortened Saslong course to claim the Val Gardena downhill, continuing a streak that has the Swiss star tightening his grip on both the Overall and Downhill Audi FIS World Cup Crystal Globes this season. The result underlined Swiss dominance on the day and repeated last season’s strong showing on the Italian hill

Odermatt put down a trademark run on the Saslong course: daring, full of lightening recoveries from imperfect moments, and ultimately faster than anyone else, to make it two Downhill wins from two Downhill starts this season. 

Key finishers on the shortened Saslong sprint were:

• Marco Odermatt — 1st;
• Franjo von Allmen — 2nd;
• Dominik Paris — 3rd.

The one‑two for Switzerland mirrored the team’s form from earlier in the campaign and highlighted Odermatt’s ability to deliver when conditions and pressure mount.

It was a tricky day for the racers: a Saslong course that had been shortened to the Super G start gate due to tricky, warm weather conditions, delayed start due to fog, some mid-race delays and heavily salted snow.

Among these constantly changing conditions, Odermatt was unfazed as ever.

The two-time Downhill Globe winner, who won at Val Gardena last season, lost a little time mid-course after a scruffy landing from a jump, but recovered brilliantly, keeping in the tuck and battling to hold his speed all the way to the bottom.

“Everything was different to the training, the training was pretty cold and aggressive, now it’s wet and different conditions,” he said. “But my plan stayed the same, from all the lines. I could adapt very good and I’m super happy with the victory today.” Did he expect the win? “Actually not, because I saw Franjo skiing and he had an amazing run. I didn’t know where or how I could ski faster than him, but somehow I managed to gain some hundreds. I’m happy to share this one with him.

It was the perfect warm up for the 'classic' Downhill in two days' time. “[On Saturday] the lower part obviously stays the same. We will have to see how the conditions are changing, from the top everything will be a little bit different, there are 30, 40 seconds more in your legs, but in the end your plan stays the same. You need a fast ski on the top and then have good technique.”

On his 50th career win, tying with the legendary Alberto Tomba (ITA). “I hear so. It's amazing to be on the same number as Alberto now, and doing it here in Italy makes it even more special.”

Odermatt stopped the clock at 1:24.48, edging team‑mate Franjo von Allmen by 0.15 seconds and leaving local favourite Dominik Paris 0.19 seconds adrift in third. The Swiss’s run combined high speed with a series of lightening recoveries from small mistakes — a pattern that has become a hallmark of his downhill skiing this season

The race was disrupted by fog and weather interruptions that delayed the start and briefly halted proceedings after 22 competitors had run, adding an extra layer of uncertainty before the result was confirmed. Despite the stoppages and a shortened start, Odermatt’s time held firm and the victory was ratified amid the challenging visibility conditions

Beyond the single‑race glory, today’s win carried a milestone significance: it marked a major career landmark for Odermatt and reinforced his momentum heading into the mid‑season block of events. The triumph also left him in a commanding position in the downhill standings and furthered his bid to defend the titles he captured last season.

What this means for the season: Odermatt’s back‑to‑back downhill victories have not only boosted his points lead in the discipline but also sent a clear message to rivals that he is the benchmark in speed events this winter. With the World Cup calendar moving into its busiest phase, the Swiss ace will be watched closely as he chases more wins and the season’s big prizes

In a race with closely spaced finishes, all ten Swiss starters finished in the top 30. Following Alexis Monney (9th) and Marco Kohler (11th), Alessio Miggiano surprisingly finished in 18th place. For the 23-year-old, who started with bib number 43, this meant the first World Cup points of his career.

Niels Hintermann (20th), Justin Murisier (22nd), Lars Rösti (26th), Livio Hiltbrand (28th) and Stefan Rogentin (30th) also scored points.