That changed Friday as the Swiss star, the leader in both the men’s overall and super G discipline standings on the 2024/25 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup, finally triumphed on the renowned Streif piste in the first super G race held in Kitzbühel since 2021.

Odermatt’s previous best on the Streif was three second-place finishes, two in downhills, and one runner-up to Vincent Kriechmayr – who opted not to start on Friday as he continues to nurse a minor injury suffered last week in a crash at Wengen – in the 2021 super G.

This time, Odermatt was very quick out of the gate, gaining nearly half a second on previous leader Nils Allegre in the first sector alone.

The 27-year-old kept up his rapid pace and set multiple fastest sectors, eventually crossing the line in 1:13.25 to the sound of cowbells from the Swiss fans who made the short journey to Kitzbühel.

His lead was very nearly short-lived, as teammate Franjo von Allmen following him was faster in both the second and third sectors before an error forced him wide and saw him lose a lot of time at the bottom of the course.

Instead, it was home racer Raphael Haaser who claimed second, with a fast finish helping the Austrian onto the podium.

Haaser began slowly, a full quarter of a second behind Odermatt after the first sector, but made up time as he approached the finish line, crossing it just 0.11 seconds behind Haaser – equivalent to 3.22 metres.

Switzerland’s Stefan Rogentin took third, 0.30 seconds behind his compatriot Odermatt.

The race was marred by multiple crashes, with both Alexis Pinturault and Florian Loriotrequiring careful management on the piste before being airlifted away by helicopter.

Pinturault had cleared the Seidlamsprung jump cleanly but got his skis caught in snow ruts, taking him off balance as he caught a gate flag, twisting with an apparent lower leg injury. Loriot, meanwhile, slid off on a straighter part of the course and caught the safety netting.

There were several other crashes that caused long delays as the safety features of the course had to be repaired even though the skiers involved were able to ski away unhurt.

Odermatt’s lead at the top of the super G standings is now 119 points ahead of Kriechmayr, as the Swiss moved onto 341 super G points. His overall World Cup total is now 966 points, 332 clear of Henrik Kristoffersen.

Kitzbühel, 2024/25 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup: Results from men’s super G, 24 January (top 10):

1. Marco Odermatt (SUI) 1:13.25
2. Raphael Haaser (AUT) +0.11
3. Stefan Rogentin (SUI) +0.30
4. Franjo von Allmen (SUI) +0.45
5. Cameron Alexander (CAN) +0.60
6. Adrian Smiseth Sejersted (NOR) +0.66
7. Mattia Casse (ITA) +0.67
8. James Crawford (CAN) +0.69
9. Justin Murisier (SUI) +0.72
10. = Felix Monsen (SWE) = Giovanni Franzoni (ITA) +0.76