Men's speed preview: Odermatt rules, Kilde returns and the Olympics loom

As the 2025/26 men's speed season gets underway this week, two unique storylines are taking centre stage: the imminent return of Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (NOR/Atomic) after nearly two years on the sidelines, and the thrilling prospect of Olympic races on the famous Stelvio piste in Bormio in February.

As the best men's ski racers prepare to strap on their long boards and zoom down the world's steepest race courses, however, the real question for this season is a familiar one: can anyone stop Marco Odermatt (SUI/Stoeckli)?

No end in sight for King Odi's reign

Where do we even begin with the four-time defending Overall champion and the biggest star on the men's tour?

The incomparable Odermatt has won the last three Super G Crystal Globes and the last two Downhill titles to establish himself as the world's top speed skier, not to mention the technical prowess that has produced four consecutive Giant Slalom globes and an Olympic gold at Beijing 2022.

In the last several seasons, as his speed rivals have retired, suffered dips in form or succumbed to injuries, the one constant has been Odermatt.

The days when the ski racing world wondered when he would claim his first major Downhill win are long gone: after getting that monkey off his back with gold at the 2023 world championships, he has followed up with four World Cup wins in the discipline, including three on the famed Lauberhorn in Wengen.

In Super G, the 28-year-old has been even more sublime, winning 11 of his last 23 World Cup races for a strike rate of nearly 50%, and adding the 2025 world championship gold medal to his bulging trophy cabinet for good measure.

Having won the season-opening Giant Slalom race in Sölden, Odermatt will start as the undeniable favorite not only when the speed season gets underway on Thursday, but likely in every race he enters for the rest of the season.

That includes the Olympic Games in February, as Odermatt is a genuine chance to win three gold medals — not that you would know it from his humble demeanor.

"It's not that you can choose about winning medals in which discipline you would prefer," he cautioned at the FIS Race Talk in Sölden last month.

"You have to perform well at the beginning of the season to get there, to be in shape, to have the confidence to take the risks, because in the Olympic Games obviously just the medals are counting.

"The goal is to be in shape and try to win three medals, but that's going to be very tough."

Odermatt's biggest speed challengers this season look set to come from within, as Swiss athletes claimed the top three positions in Downhill last season and three of the top four places in Super G.

Among Odermatt's teammates, Alexis Monney (SUI/Stoeckli) won his first World Cup race in the Bormio Downhill last season, while Stefan Rogentin (SUI/Fischer) was consistent with four podiums across both speed disciplines.

The biggest potential threat, however, is Franjo von Allmen (SUI/Head), who claimed his first World Cup win in the Wengen Super G in January and added two Downhill wins later in the season, pushing Odermatt into second both times.

As rivals and fans alike wait to see what the 24-year-old does for an encore this season, Odermatt has nothing but praise for von Allmen and the rest of the Swiss team.

"But I really enjoy to ski with them, it's great that the next athletes come up in our team. I'm happy (with) what I've achieved, but I also like to see good guys or friends winning too, because they deserve it as well."

Monney concurred that team spirit trumps individual ambition in the Swiss camp.

"Right now, it’s not super competitive between Marco, Franjo, and me in training — it’s a bit like last year," the 25-year-old said this week.

"Each of us is just trying to get a little better every day, and we work as a really strong team. We push each other, and the team cohesion is great."

Like Odermatt, Monney has Milano Cortina 2026 in the back of his mind as the speed season begins.

"I still remember watching the video of Beat Feuz (SUI) crying when he won the Downhill (at Beijing 2022); he was so happy, and it was really moving," said Monney, who is aiming to compete at his first Olympic Games.

"Representing your country is an honor, and I would be incredibly proud if I get the chance to do that."

When Olympic medals are on the line, the Swiss team camaraderie might finally become a true rivalry. For now, however, it's all sunshine and roses in camp, as long as the spoils are divided up between everyone.

"It's so nice to celebrate and share this together," Odermatt said, before the 46-time World Cup winner added an important caveat: "as long as I also win from time to time."

Somehow, that doesn't look like being a problem this season.

Back with a bang and a smile: Kilde returns to the World Cup

It's been nearly two years since the ski racing world held its breath when one of its biggest and most likeable stars, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (NOR/Atomic), suffered a horrific crash at the end of the Wengen Downhill in January 2024.

After recovering from a life-threatening combination of calf, shoulder and nerve injuries, a blood poisoning infection, and multiple surgeries, the 33-year-old has made it all the way back and is ready to resume his World Cup career.

When the two-time Olympic medalist steps into the start gate for the first time since that fateful day, likely to be either Thursday in Copper Mountain or next week in Beaver Creek, he will be grinning from ear to ear.

"It's been a long time since I've had that feeling, so I think now it's going to be more joy than anything — maybe (more joy than) ever," Kilde said in a conference call on Monday.

"It's just so exciting, it's giving me goose bumps just sitting here thinking about it.

"When I picture it, I see myself smiling."

During his long recovery process, Kilde has felt the love every step of the way from family and fans, including from his number one supporter: his fiancée Mikaela Shiffrin (USA/Atomic).

"The support has been endless, from actually the day I crashed," Kilde said. "My fans, my coaches, my family, my teammates, Mikaela, her family — it's just been there 24/7, through the whole thing.

"They're all standing behind me and I know that, and I really feel it as well.

"I'm a lucky man now that can look back at something that was challenging, but also sharing moments with my close ones and everyone that's supporting me."

As for whether Kilde can work his way back to the form that saw him win 21 World Cup speed races, three small globes and a big globe at his peak, that's a secondary concern for now — even for the competitive Norwegian.

"I think it's all about me feeling ready and being safe for me to be on the start, and not so much about the performance part," he said.

Italians stay focused with Milano Cortina 2026 on the horizon

With a home Olympic Winter Games looming, Italian speed racers are trying not to get too caught up in the hype as they prepare for the World Cup campaign.

"I have a lot of dreams in my pocket for this year, but it's step by step," said Mattia Casse (ITA/Rossignol), winner of last season's Val Gardena Super G.

"It's a (long) road to the Olympics in February and I want to start my season very easy, very comfortable, very focused on myself."

Aside from Olympic distractions, Casse will be skiing with a heavy heart this year after teammate Matteo Franzoso passed away at age 25 following a training accident in Chile in September.

Casse can think of no better way of honoring his fallen teammate than by bringing his A-game to the speed slopes this season.

"It's not easy to restart the training, also to go fast," the 35-year-old admitted. "We are professionals and I think it's good to stay in a good mood, in a good shape for him and for everybody. Why not to keep good results for him in the World Cup?"

Casse's teammate and the leader of the Italian squad, Dominik Paris (ITA/Nordica), hopes to carry the momentum from his double speed victory in Kvitfjell last March into the upcoming season.

"Everything is good, I had a good summer," the 36-year-old said. "I'm healthy and motivated for the new season. I'm very hungry to start again."

Although not as consistent as he was during his peak, Paris shapes as the biggest wildcard in speed events at the Olympic Games in Bormio, where he has famously won seven World Cup races, including six Downhills.

With the most recent of those victories on the Stelvio coming in 2021, however, the gentle giant of the tour is careful not to be too complacent.

"It's not my slope," Paris said humbly. "It's a slope that I like very much and I have very good success there. I know what I have to do on the slope, so I'm excited to be ready for this."

Rather than looking too far ahead to potential medals at Milano Cortina 2026, Paris has a more basic objective for this season — one that everyone on tour aspires to, but that only a select few achieve.

"My main goal is more or less always the same," the 24-time World Cup winner said. "Trying to be the fastest on the hill."

The men's speed season begins on Thursday with a Super G race in Copper Mountain, Colorado, at 11:00 local / 19:00 CET.