Odermatt lifts Super G Globe as Paris continues Kvitfjell love affair

There is no doubt the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Super G season belongs to the great Marco Odermatt (SUI/Stöckli) but on the final day of racing Dominik Paris (ITA/Nordica) underlined the fact he is almost unbeatable in Kvitfjell, Norway.

A day after his dominant Downhill triumph, the veteran Italian once again proved too good, completing the World Cup Finals speed double and grabbing a remarkable eighth career victory down the Olympiabakken.

That performance, pock-marked by Paris’ usual power and precision, pushed Vincent Kriechmayr (AUT/Head) down into second (+0.07 seconds). It, combined with a win and a second place in the opening two rounds plus two other top-10s, was enough to comfortably seal second place for the Austrian in the season standings.

The battle for the final podium spot in that Crystal Globe race was one of the highlights coming into the final Super G of the season and it lived up to the hype. Stefan Babinsky (AUT/Head) started the day two points ahead of teammate Raphael Haaser (AUT/Atomic) and three ahead of Giovanni Franzoni (ITA/Rossignol).

The Italian was the first of the trio out of the gate and for a long while it looked like one of the breakout stars of the speed season would lay down a formidable challenge. But on a soft, salted course Franzoni made a small but crucial error on the lower section. That left the door slightly open for Haaser and the enviably consistent Austrian took full advantage, powering down in 1:27.19, just 0.38 seconds off top spot. It proved too much for Babinsky, with the nervous-looking 29-year-old enduring a difficult run to end 22^nd.

Third place on the day for Haaser, ahead of fifth-placed Franzoni, vaulted the Austrian into third in the Crystal Globe rankings – just one point ahead of the unfortunate Italian.

Historic triumph for Odi

Well ahead of all of them came Odermatt. A win in the opening Super G of the season in Copper Mountain, USA set the tone and the 28-year-old barley let up, until Sunday. A second victory, in Kitzbühel, combined with a podium in Val Gardena, plus three other top-five finishes meant that a surprise 19^th place in the final race of the season had no impact on the skier lifting yet another Crystal Globe.

The Swiss star joins his storied compatriot Pirmin Zurbriggen and legendary Austrian Hermann Maier as the only skiers to ever claim four consecutive Super G Crystal Globes.

“It’s always a nice gift to get a Globe,” said Odermatt, who despite a current tally of 16 career Crystal Globes, was still a little disappointed with his closing Super G display.

“Probably today the conditions are not as good as other years. It’s cool if you can finish off the season with a nice last race, that was definitely not the case today. So, the emotions are a little bit less."

But before he thinks about how to one day master the Olympiabakken, Odermatt knows he has to "finish this season".

On Tuesday he will attempt to win his fourth Globe of the season (for the third year running) when he starts the final Giant Slalom with a 48-point lead in the standings over Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA/Atomic). Do not miss that.

Kvitfjell's best ever

Odermatt would love to take even a touch of Paris’s Norwegian expertise as he heads to Hafjell, for that concluding GS.

Aggressive out the gate, the Italian showed a confidence that no one could match – that perhaps no one has ever matched – as he became the resort’s most successful men’s World Cup speed skier ever.

At the age of 36, and having secured his first Olympic medal in front of his home crowd last month, questions had been asked as to whether Paris will continue to compete next season. A second win in two days will surely convince him…

“First, we will do some party after this weekend and then I will think about it,” he said laughing.

Austrians finish in style

The man just behind him on the day was left rueing a few line choices in the middle of the run – not to mention a DNF back in December in Livigno and a 12^th place finish down Wengen’s Lauberhorn a few weeks later.  

Kriechmayr is not alone in enviously eying up Odermatt’s Globe. Third place might have equalised teammate Haaser’s best ever Globe finish (also in the Super G, back in 2023/24) but the 28-year-old wants more.

“Good end to a consistent Super G season, very happy with today. Just one DNF and the rest of the races all in the top-10, so very happy for that but the main goal for next season is to go for the top spot,” he said.

As for how he gets there?

“Maybe risking more and making fewer mistakes,” Haaser said with a smile.

The World Cup Finals now decamp to Hafjell for the technical races.

First up for the men, that battle between Oderamtt and Pinheiro Braathen will take centre stage on Tuesday. Then a day later, it is the Slalom skier's turn in the spotlight. Four skiers have a mathematical chance of the taking the Globe, with Atle Lie McGrath (NOR/Head) in pole position, 41 points ahead of Pinheiro Braathen.

Meanwhile Mikaela Shiffrin (USA/Atomic) and Emma Aicher’s (GER/Head) fascinating tussle for the women’s Overall title is set for a nail-biting finish. Both women will ski in the Slalom on Tuesday, before going head-to-head once more in the concluding GS on Wednesday. Shiffrin currently boasts a 45-point advantage as she chases a record-equalling sixth Big Globe.

Check out the full results from the men’s Super G in Kvitfjell here, with the season standings in the race for the Super G Crystal Globe here.

Also, do please head to Reuters Connect and Actionpress.de to view and purchase a wide selection of photographs from this race and from all FIS events.