In a breathtaking display of speed and precision, Marco Odermatt claimed a thrilling victory in the Audi FIS World Cup Super G on January 23, 2026, leaving fans in awe and the competition in his wake. But was it a flawless performance? Not quite, as the Swiss skier himself admitted.
The iconic Hahnenkamm race weekend in Kitzbühel, Austria, kicked off with a bang as Odermatt, the reigning king of men's Alpine skiing, showcased his dominance on one of the most challenging tracks in the world, the Streif. With a slim margin of just 0.57 seconds separating the top 10 skiers, the stage was set for a nail-biting showdown.
And here's where it gets intense: Odermatt, known for thriving under pressure, delivered a breathtaking performance, particularly in the top and bottom sections. He left his young teammate Franjo von Allmen in second place, just three-hundredths of a second behind. The Swiss one-two finish wasn't the result the Austrian crowd had hoped for, but local favorite Stefan Babinsky's second career World Cup podium finish, achieved on consecutive weekends, provided some consolation.
But the real drama unfolded during Adrian Smiseth Sejersted's run. The Norwegian skier's jaw-dropping recovery from a massive, twisted jump at the start showcased his resilience, as he managed to stay upright and soar down to fifth position.
Odermatt, unphased by the excitement, maintained his composure. After von Allmen's impressive response to Babinsky's full-throttle effort, the leader of the Super G, Downhill, Giant Slalom, and Overall season standings knew he had to step up. And step up he did, with a flawless start and a crucial green light at the first opportunity.
Despite a few minor errors in the mid-section, Odermatt's excellence shone through on the technically demanding Traverse, where he reached the day's top speed of 142.9 kmph. This performance secured his 17th World Cup Super G victory, tying him for second on the all-time winners list with Aksel Lund Svindal.
But here's the twist: Odermatt, ever the perfectionist, wasn't entirely satisfied with his run. He revealed, 'I had a very good start and a very good finish, but the middle section could have been better. I managed to bring those three-hundredths to the finish line, but it wasn't exactly as I planned.'
This win marks Odermatt's seventh victory of the season and his second consecutive Kitzbühel Super G triumph. It sets the stage for an even more anticipated event, the Hahnenkamm Downhill, where Odermatt aims to claim the victory he truly desires.
As von Allmen reflects on his second-place finish, he acknowledges Odermatt's superior speed. 'Marco was faster, just by a couple of hundredths,' he said, recalling their previous encounters in Val Gardena.
For Babinsky, this race marked a turning point. After years of near-misses, he finally secured a well-deserved podium finish on his nation's most prestigious slope, matching his career-best result from the previous week.
With the classic Downhill race approaching, Odermatt issues a subtle warning to his competitors, hinting at his readiness and improved energy levels compared to the previous year. Will he secure another victory in Kitzbühel? The world of Alpine skiing eagerly awaits the answer.
Controversy alert: Some might argue that Odermatt's dominance is bad for the sport, creating a lack of suspense. What do you think? Is his reign as the king of Alpine skiing a positive or negative for the sport's future? Share your thoughts in the comments!
