Marco Odermatt (SUI) proved once again he is in great shape and did two solid runs to claim the second Giant Slalom in the "Deborah Compagnoni" slope in Santa Caterina Valfurva becoming the first Swiss skier in nearly 10 years to win a race in the discipline since Carlo Janka won in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, in March 2011.
“We stayed cool, went step-by-step, and kept working hard. We didn’t turn everything upside-down", Odermatt said about the rebuilding of the Swiss GS team in recent years.
The Swiss youngster scored his third consecutive podium in Giant Slalom after second place in the opening race in Sölden and third place on Saturday's race.
It's his seventh podium and second victory in the World Cup after winning the Super-G in Beaver Creek in December 2019.
"It’s really emotional for me today. I never had this before (...) It was big pressure today: First time red bib, first time leading after the first run. Now I am really proud", said Odermatt.
With today's victory, the two-time junior world champion in Giant Slalom leads the discipline standings with 240 points and joined Alexis Pinturault on top of the overall ranking.
After scoring the fourth-best time in the opening run, Tommy Ford finished in second place (+0.73). It's the third podium in the World Cup for the skier from Oregon (USA).
“It was nice snow, the volunteers here did a great job…and I felt quite at home because of the falling snow, (...) This is just like home at Mt. Bachelor, and I’m just happy to be skiing here period…and happy to have a nice smooth two runs", said Ford.
Filip Zubic third +0.75 climbs up 18 positions (21st in the first run +1.25) and set the best time in the 2nd run. It's his fifth GS podium in 2020.
The Men's tour now will head to Val d'Isère (FRA) where the first two speed races of the season are set to take place on the weekend.
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