Departure in Garmisch: Odermatt draws level with Hermann Maier

While Kriechmayr prevented an ÖSV debacle, Odermatt took what was probably the decisive step on the “Kandahar” to win the third downhill ball in a row. Before the final two races of the season in this discipline in Courchevel and Kvitfjell, he leads with an impressive 610 out of 700 possible points, 175 ahead of Von Allmen. Six of the seven departures this season went to Switzerland. There will be a Super-G on Sunday (11:15 a.m.). Here too, Odermatt (425) is already comfortably ahead of Kriechmayr (267).

Historic drought on the descent

Austria’s speed team has one podium finish after eight downhill runs this season, including the Olympics. Kriechmayr came second in Wengen. With the 23rd winless downhill run in a row, the longest dry spell in World Cup history is now a sad reality for the ÖSV. The last victory, achieved by Kriechmayr on March 15th in Soldeu, was 1,081 days ago.

Odermatt, who won two silver medals (giant slalom, team combination) and bronze (super-G) as well as bronze in the downhill at the Games in Italy, adjusted the balance of power with his 54th World Cup victory. “It was definitely a bit of revenge,” said Odermatt on ORF. He heard voices that spoke of disappointment. “If you take home three Olympic medals and lead the standings for the balls, then these are statements from people who know little about skiing.”

The week at home was good for him, said Odermatt. “I came here more relaxed again. The atmosphere here, this spring weather, is also fun.” At 28 years old, he now has the same number of victories as Hermann Maier. “To catch up with Hermann is incredible,” said Odermatt. Only Marcel Hirscher (67) and Ingemar Stenmark (86) are ahead of him. On a surprisingly stable slope in spring-like temperatures, Odermatt replaced his compatriot Stefan Rogentin, who had been leading up to that point.

Kriechmayr missed the time

“Odi” only had to really tremble with Monney, who lost his 47/100 lead in the lower part. Franzoni was unable to break the Swiss triple lead. Kriechmayr, who had a visually flawless ride, was exactly as fast as the Kitzbühel winner from Italy. “The placement is perfect, the gap is too big. I should have done better at the bottom,” the Upper Austrian gave himself the certificate. “I haven’t managed the left turn into the finish line the last five times, so it’s still a long way to the finish.” Von Allmen botched a swing approach and was still only three tenths slower than the Austrian-Italian duo.

“I’m frustrated to be fobbed off like that in a race – I get a ‘full loop’ from top to bottom. I probably drove a line that was too round,” said Daniel Hemetsberger, the second-best Austrian in 22nd place, after a “completely messed up run”. Raphael Haaser survived a shocking moment in the upper part unscathed on the day his sister Ricarda was seriously injured in the Super-G in Soldeu. The Tyrolean couldn’t do better than 26th place at his Kandahar premiere. Marco Schwarz on his first descent in over two years and Stefan Babinsky shared 29th place. The other Austrians: Vincent Wieser 36th, Andreas Ploier 38th, Otmar Striedinger 41st. Despite the failure, an ex-ÖSV runner had reason to be happy. Romed Baumann, riding for Germany, became the sole record holder with his 167th World Cup downhill.