Marco Schwarz has returned to the top of the podium in Alpine skiing, just under six weeks before the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The Austrian had gone two years without a World Cup victory due to a knee injury before winning his eighth career race and first speed event in Livigno, Italy. This victory came a week after his giant slalom win in Alta Badia.
In the super-G event, Schwarz triumphed over Swiss skiers Alexis Monney, Franjo von Allmen, and Marco Odermatt, with the latter finishing between two and three-tenths behind him. Schwarz navigated the unfamiliar slope in Livigno, which replaced the traditional Bormio venue for the day.
Despite not being the fastest starter, Schwarz maintained a clean run in Livigno, a resort that had not previously hosted a top-tier Alpine skiing competition. Odermatt, the overall World Cup leader, increased his super-G standings lead as his main rivals, Vincent Kriechmayr and Raphael Haaser, failed to complete their runs.
Schwarz and Odermatt had a competitive battle in the overall standings two years ago, with Schwarz leading before sustaining a knee injury that ended his season. The challenging Li Zeta course in Livigno posed difficulties for many racers, with two jumps causing issues, notably impacting Kriechmayr’s potential victory.
Canadian skier Cameron Alexander finished as the top Canadian in 16th place, while Czech racer Jan Zabystran, the surprise winner of the previous super-G, finished outside the top 20. The next speed event is set for a super-G in Wengen, Switzerland, on January 16, with the men’s World Cup continuing in Italy for a night slalom in Madonna di Campiglio on January 7. Viewers can catch live coverage of these events on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem.