Marco Odermatt easily won the giant slalom in Soldeu (Andorra) and thus became the first skier in history to break the 2000 point mark in one season. Alexis Pinturault, disappointing in the second run, finished eighth.
If Mikaela Shiffrin wrote a page of history last week in Are by beating Ingemar Stenmark’s record for World Cup victories, Marco Odermatt is also becoming a ski legend in March! The Swiss skier has indeed become the first to exceed the bar of 2000 points earned in a World Cup season, this Saturday in Soldeu, thus exceeding the 2000 points that Hermann Maier had gleaned in… 2000.
Already assured of winning a second big globe, the 25-year-old skier only had this record in mind when he went to Andorra for the finals. And after winning the Super-G on Thursday, Odermatt triumphed over the giant on Saturday, and here he is with 2042 points on the clock. He will not participate in the slalom on Sunday and will therefore be able to go on vacation with the feeling of accomplishment.
Pinturault failed
Winner of the first round with a 1″09 lead over Alexis Pinturault, Marco Odermatt also unrolled his ski in the second, committing a single small error which did not, however, cause him to lose speed. As the storm threatened and the sun hid behind the clouds, he finally slapped the competition, winning 2″11 ahead of Henrik Kristoffersen and 2″29 over Marco Schwarz. He thus signs his 24th victory in the World Cup, the 14th in giant.
The Swiss is on another planet this season! Second in the first heat, Alexis Pinturault failed to confirm in the second. He could not do better than the 19th time, which puts him in eighth place overall. A great opportunity for a podium has gone for him, but we will find him again on Sunday in the slalom, in the company of Clément Noël. Alban Elezi Cannaferina, present this Saturday as a giant as junior world champion in the discipline, left the course in the second run. But at only 19, it remains a great experience for him.
WORLD CUP FINALS (M) / GIANT SLALOM IN SOLDEU (ANDORRA)
Final ranking – Saturday March 18, 2023
1- Marco Odermatt (SUI) in 2’19″64
2- Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) at 2″11
3- Marco Schwarz (AUT) at 2″29
4- Lucas Braathen (NOR) à 2″38
5- Thomas Tumler (SUI) at 2″56
6- Rasmus Windingstad (NOR) at 2″60
7- Filippo della Vite (ITA) at 2″64
8- Alexis Pinturault (FRA) at 2″67
9- Luca De Aliprandini (ITA) at 2″68
10- Loïc Meillard (SUI) at 2″64
…
Abandons : Alban Elephant Cannaferina (FRA)Erik Read (CAN), Raphael Haaser (AUT), Alexander Steen Olsen (NOR)
