Marco Odermatt also secures a podium place in the World Cup Super-G in Val Gardena. The skier from Nidwalden takes 3rd place behind the Italian Mattia Casse and the American Jared Goldberg.
Val Gardena means changing conditions over the course of the race and therefore often surprising rankings. This was also the case this time. Casse's victory, his first in the World Cup, did not come out of the blue. With first and second place in the downhill training sessions on the previous days, the Italian had already indicated that he was ready for the special task on the Saslong.
Goldberg's strong performance was more unexpected. He made sure that Casse had to tremble once again for his premiere. In the end, one hundredth of a second tipped the scales in favor of the Italian. The American, who started with number 26, took advantage of the improved conditions at that point to secure his first podium finish in the World Cup.
Fourth podium in Val Gardena/Gröden for Odermatt
Unexpected things are also possible in Val Gardena/Gröden because the Saslong does not offer the kind of terrain that suits technically experienced racers. The terrain does not allow the course to be set with passages where athletes like Odermatt could make the difference thanks to their strengths. A large part of the task could therefore be completed in a crouched position. The snow that fell on Friday night probably changed the conditions compared to the two downhill training sessions, but made the task even easier.
Odermatt, winner of the first super-G of this World Cup winter two weeks ago in completely different conditions in Beaver Creek, Colorado, has never been first on the 1970 World Cup course, but this third place is his fourth top-three finish at this venue. Last year, the man from central Switzerland also came third in the first of two downhill races and in the super-G, and two years ago he came second in the first downhill race.
Odermatt lost 43 hundredths to Casse. The Italian had previously finished third three times, the first time two years ago with third place in the second downhill in Val Gardena. Behind Odermatt was the no less surprising Fredrik Möller. The Norwegian had already hinted at his abilities with 4th place in the super-G in Beaver Creek.
Rösti with an exploit
The second best Swiss was Stefan Rogentin. The man from Graubünden shared 5th place with Canadian Cameron Alexander. The surprise of the day from a Swiss perspective came from Lars Rösti. The man from the Bernese Oberland significantly improved his best result in the World Cup with 8th place. Rösti, who was only competing in this discipline for the third time at this level, had finished 15th in the downhill at the season finale in Soldeu in Andorra almost six years ago. He was eligible to take part in that race as Junior World Champion.
World Cup points were also awarded to Justin Murisier for 15th place and Alexis Monney and Franjo von Allmen for 21st and 23rd place respectively. Frenchman Cyprien Sarrazin was one of those who dropped out. Odermatt's most recent biggest opponent in the speed section missed a goal.
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