Swiss ski star Marco Odermatt positioned himself for a historic fifth consecutive victory at the World Cup giant slalom in Adelboden on January 7, 2025. In challenging conditions marked by steady snowfall and reduced visibility, Odermatt completed the first run with a time that placed him 0.49 seconds ahead of the competition, despite losing some time due to a rare mistake near the finish line.
Following Odermatt, Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen finished as the second-fastest skier, while Timon Haugan of Norway secured third place, needing to make up 0.53 seconds in the afternoon run. As is often the case at Adelboden, the first-run leaders faced difficulties with fading light during their second run, which began after 14:00 local time, due to the sun dipping behind the surrounding mountains.
Conditions and Historical Significance
The weather conditions on Saturday presented a significant challenge. Odermatt noted that the snow surface was difficult to navigate, with only five competitors finishing their first run within a second of his time. His impressive track record includes victories at Adelboden since 2022, where he has matched the remarkable four-win streak of skiing legend Ingemar Stenmark, who dominated the event between 1979 and 1982.
The giant slalom at Adelboden has been a staple of the men’s World Cup calendar since its inception in January 1967. The inaugural winner was another skiing icon, Jean-Claude Killy. The Chuenisbaergli course is known for its undulating terrain over former cow pastures, culminating in a steep descent that leads to a lively finish area, typically attracting a crowd of around 25,000 spectators for the Saturday races.
Before the race commenced, a moment of silence was observed in memory of the victims of a tragic fire at a bar in nearby Crans-Montana, which is set to host World Cup races in three weeks. This solemn tribute underscored the community’s resilience as they gathered to support the athletes.
As the day progresses, all eyes will remain on Odermatt as he aims to etch his name further into the history books with a fifth consecutive victory at one of the sport’s most prestigious events.
