Odermatt clinches Downhill and Overall Globes as Kriechmayr wins in Courchevel

Vincent Kriechmayr (AUT/Head) won in Courchevel on Friday - the first Downhill victory of the season for the Austrian veteran - as Marco Odermatt (SUI/ Stöckli) clinched his third consecutive Audi FIS Downhill Crystal Globe and fifth overall crown.

Giovanni Franzoni (ITA/Rossignol) finished +0.09 seconds behind to take second place and enhance his chance of third place for the season. Odermatt (+0.31 seconds) struggled on the mid-section but battled well to stay on the podium to take third.

Odermatt’s wins in both the Downhill and Overall Crystal Globes were secured after his compatriot and challenger Franjo Von Allmen (SUI/Head) – DNFed after a couple of mid-course errors on a tricky piste.

The challenging and variable conditions also put paid to the hopes of Alexis Monney (SUI/Stöckli) who fell and broke a ski during his run, which led to an interruption of the race.

Kriechmayr (AUT) put down an impressive run, using all his experience to master a slope with variable conditions. Franzoni (ITA) meanwhile, who set the early pace at Courchevel, continued his great season by taking the runners-up spot.

The day was to belong to Odermatt, though, whose remarkable achievement of a total of five overall Crystal Globes moves him level with the record of Marc Giradelli (LUX).

Reflecting on a tough race, he said: "It was very difficult, a very tough race. I have never been as tired as at the finish today, it has been a long season.

"At the lower section the snow wasn't good, I was pushing against nothing.

Assessing his achievements, Odermatt said: "For me the downhill globe has become the most important thing in my career, and to win this for a third time in a row, with such a big gap, has made it extra special.

"To be so consistent in every race and in every condition, to fight for the top spot every week and in every race with all the pressure makes me proud.”

Race winner Kriechmayr (AUT) said: "It is a fantastic race, skiing between the gates is nice, it is a fantastic place, I like the downhill, and I am very happy with my skiing today.

On the conditions, he added: "The slope was quite good after yesterday, so congratulations for the whole crew working on the slope."

Commenting on his performance, Franzoni (ITA) said: “I have only had one training session here, and it was difficult to understand the lines, because of the conditions, but I skied well, I didn't expect the result today, it has been a long season, but I am proud of myself to have skied really well in these conditions."

Reflecting on the season so far, he said: "I started to get the results in Super G, but I am very confident in downhill, because we have had the training and video analysis. It is crazy to think of how things have escalated for me since the start of the season, it has just been great.”

The Downhill season concludes in Kvitjfell in Norway on 25th March.