In an unexpected turn of events at Alta Badia, Italy, Marco Schwarz emerged victorious in the World Cup giant slalom on Sunday, beating the anticipated favorite, Marco Odermatt. Schwarz, starting with bib No. 1, maintained his lead from start to finish, clocking a time of 2 minutes 35.02 seconds, edging out Lucas Pinheiro Braathen from Brazil by 18-100ths of a second.
Expressing his joy, Schwarz highlighted the significance of the win after overcoming a long absence due to injury since his last victory in December 2023. The Austrian skier also emphasized the positive impact the win had on himself and his team, sharing a celebratory moment with his compatriot Stefan Brennsteiner, who secured the third spot.
Pinheiro Braathen, who had been the only other racer to claim victory in an Alta Badia giant slalom during Odermatt’s dominant streak, finished second. Meanwhile, Odermatt, possibly fatigued from a demanding schedule in Val Gardena, settled for sixth place with a noticeable display of frustration at the finish line.
Schwarz’s triumph marked his seventh career World Cup win and second in giant slalom, showcasing his versatility on the competitive circuit. The race also saw Calgary’s Erik Read representing Canada, finishing 32nd in the competition.
The event also featured the return of the first Russian skier in a men’s World Cup event in nearly four years, as Aleksander Andrienko was granted approved neutral status to compete. However, Andrienko’s performance fell short of progressing to the second run, as neutral athletes from Russia and Belarus competed without national colors or flags.
Notably, Alexander Steen Olsen from Norway was absent from the competition due to a season-ending knee injury, despite being a strong contender in giant slalom events last season. With the focus now shifting to the upcoming Milan-Cortina Olympics, athletes like Odermatt are gearing up to compete at the highest level.