Marco Schwarz almost secures the second Austrian victory of the Sölden weekend on the national holiday. Marco Odermatt, however, has something against it.
26.10.2025, 16:36
26.10.2025, 16:49
SDA
Many fans cheer when they see Odermatt's first intermediate time: The Swiss is very close behind the home leader. Austria's next home victory briefly seemed possible. However, the man from Nidwalden caught the next bends better again and finished 24 hundredths ahead of Schwarz. The eleventh-fastest time in the second run is enough for Odermatt to celebrate his third victory on the Rettenbach Glacier after 2021 and 2022. This puts the 28-year-old on a par with Hermann Maier - only Ted Ligety has won more in Sölden.
"It's definitely the perfect start," says Odermatt. After all, it was a race that took place under special conditions. The course had already been shortened in the first run. The second run was postponed by an hour due to the snowfall and then carried out at a fast pace. "It was difficult, but somehow I also like it when I have to fight a bit in the snow."
Austria reports back
But Odermatt also senses that the competition has broadened. The Austrians in particular sent out a strong signal with three racers in the top six. Stefan Brennsteiner finished 4th behind Schwarz, and world champion Raphael Haaser achieved his best World Cup result to date with 6th place. This came after Julia Scheib had become the first Austrian to win a giant slalom since March 2016 the day before. It is particularly satisfying for the Austrian team, who have often struggled in Sölden in recent years.
The race was a great joy for Marco Schwarz. It was the 30-year-old's first podium finish since his serious injury in December 2023, when he tore his cruciate ligament during the downhill in Bormio. At the time, he had to abandon the season as overall leader. Schwarz is correspondingly liberated in the interview zone: "This second place is very emotional for me after everything I've been through."
Answer to the hunger for success question
Schwarz fought his way back into the World Cup last season and attracted attention in the spring with 5th and 6th places in the giant slaloms in Kranjska Gora and Sun Valley. In the run-up to the current season, there was talk from the Austrian camp that Schwarz had impressed in the training sessions. He has now confirmed this strong impression in the race. "He's very fast," acknowledges Odermatt, who has nothing but good words for his rival. "He's extremely nice, always fair and deserves to be on the podium again."
Whether this has reignited the "Marcos duel" will only become clear as the season progresses. In any case, Odermatt is ready to take on any challenge. "I've often been asked in recent weeks whether I still have the hunger for success. Of course I've also asked myself this question," explains Odermatt. With his first appearance, he has given the public - and above all himself - the answer.
