Marco Odermatt Claims Victory in World Cup Downhill Opener

Swiss ski racer Marco Odermatt triumphed in the World Cup downhill season opener, securing victory at Beaver Creek, Colorado on December 1, 2023. Odermatt clocked in at 1 minute, 29.84 seconds, finishing just 0.30 seconds ahead of American skier Ryan Cochran-Siegle, who took second place. Norway’s Adrian Smiseth Sejersted rounded out the podium in third.

The race took place on the challenging Birds of Prey course, which featured a modified finish line due to insufficient snow for proper safety netting. Fans watched the finish from a distance, as the line was positioned further up the slope. Odermatt expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating, “For me, a perfect race.” This victory marks his fifth win in World Cup downhill events, further solidifying his dominance in the sport.

Odermatt has been a formidable presence in the downhill discipline, having not finished outside the top seven in World Cup downhill races since 2023. He added to his accolades earlier by winning the World Cup super-G season opener at nearby Copper Mountain on Thanksgiving Day.

Cochran-Siegle’s achievement is notable; he became the first American to podium in a World Cup downhill at Beaver Creek since Steven Nyman placed third in 2014. The last American victory on this course was recorded by Bode Miller in 2011. Reflecting on his performance, Cochran-Siegle remarked, “How do you catch him? I don’t know… I think the rest of the world’s still trying to figure that out.”

Sejersted celebrated his first World Cup podium in downhill, adding to his two previous podium finishes in super-G. Meanwhile, Norwegian teammate Aleksander Aamodt Kilde finished in 11th place, marking his first downhill race since suffering a severe injury in January 2024. Kilde, who underwent surgery for a severe cut and nerve damage, expressed contentment with his run, stating, “I’m super happy with how I could control things today.”

The day’s events were not without incident; Slovenian racer Rok Aznoh experienced a concerning crash near the race’s conclusion and was transported to a hospital for evaluation of potential head and knee injuries.

In light of the weather forecast, race organizers announced that the super-G race, originally scheduled for Saturday, would be moved to Friday, with a giant slalom event set for Sunday. The conditions leading to these adjustments highlight the unpredictable nature of alpine skiing, where weather can significantly impact race schedules and athlete performance.

As the World Cup season continues, the spotlight remains firmly on Odermatt, whose consistent performance sets a high standard for competitors both now and in the future.