The first chapter of Marco Odermatt’s unique success story was written on April 6, 2006 in Wengen. On this day, at the age of eight and a half, “Audi” won the Migros Grand Prix in the giant slalom. Now Nidwalden is back in the place of his first national success. The 24-year-old shooting star will test his first practice on the Lauberhorn on Tuesday.
And after the giant slalom captain (four wins in five races) finished second on the last descent at Bormio, many fans of the World Cup leader are anticipating the next achievement in high discipline in the Jungfrau region’s speed scene. But the old masters don’t trust the youngster much in his debut on the longest landing.
These are the disadvantages of Odermatt
“It would be a huge surprise for me if Marko can get to the top 10 in this descent,” admits ORF expert Hans Knaus (51, third in 1999 at the Lauberhorn) and explains why: “On any other route you need a downhill routine as much as in the Lauberhorn. And Marko clearly lacks that.”
Ski Prince of Liechtenstein Marco Buschl (50), who ended his career in 2010 shortly after finishing third at Wengen, sees the starting position similar to that of Knaus. “I’m sure Udermatt will take a place in the top ten here too, but he won’t be able to compete for victory. Unlike Bormio, there are many slip sections and particularly long curves on the Lauberhorn. And you can usually only master them as an experienced skier on the cutting slopes. Already several kilometers on this terrain. And Marko certainly doesn’t have that.”
Fuse lost over five seconds on his debut
42nd place, 5.46sec off winner Carlo Janca – these are the facts about the Lauberhorn premiere of Pete Fuse in January 2010. “This drop was too long for my physical condition at the time. I was still with people somewhat until Minschkante, but then I was very far away. It was then clear to me that I could no longer make up for this mistake with my physical disability,” Emmentaler recounts years later.
Three-time Austrian Olympic champion Tony Seiler, who died in 2009, has linked harrowing memories of his first trip with the Lauberhorn. «At Hanegg Schuss, I was so overwhelmed by the sheer speed that I could no longer skate on my skate, I skated with me! I was so frightened that I asked the Lord God for help: Our Father, who are you in Heaven – Please, dear God, dear Mary, Mother of God, please give me one last chance. If you let me cross the finish line unharmed, I swear I’ll never compete in a race like this again,” Sealer admitted in a 2005 interview with Blake.
The sailor’s calls for help were not heard. “Shortly after the jump, later named Bernard Rossi, I flew into the woods at ‘Seilersboden.’ Because my teammates Andrl Mülterer and Werner Schuster also fell at the same point before and after me, this clip was named ‘Österreicherloch.'”
42nd place, 5.46sec off winner Carlo Janca – these are the facts about the Lauberhorn premiere of Pete Fuse in January 2010. “This drop was too long for my physical condition at the time. I was still with people somewhat until Minschkante, but then I was very far away. It was then clear to me that I could no longer make up for this mistake with my physical disability,” Emmentaler recounts years later.
Three-time Austrian Olympic champion Tony Seiler, who died in 2009, has linked harrowing memories of his first trip with the Lauberhorn. «At Hanegg Schuss, I was so overwhelmed by the sheer speed that I could no longer skate on my skate, I skated with me! I was so frightened that I asked the Lord God for help: Our Father, who are you in Heaven – Please, dear God, dear Mary, Mother of God, please give me one last chance. If you let me cross the finish line unharmed, I swear I’ll never compete in a race like this again,” Sealer admitted in a 2005 interview with Blake.
The sailor’s calls for help were not heard. “Shortly after the jump, later named Bernard Rossi, I flew into the woods at ‘Seilersboden.’ Because my teammates Andrl Mülterer and Werner Schuster also fell at the same point before and after me, this clip was named ‘Österreicherloch.'”
Similar to the fastest Super-G as in Val Gardena
But what can we expect in Wengen in Super-G from the five-time winner of the season from the native Switzerland? “More than the slopes, but as a winner I wouldn’t guess that in this Super-G,” Knaus says. Büchel, who will be commenting on the races for ZDF, believes “Super-G will be as fast in this location as it is in Val Gardena.” And in the Val Gardena Super-G, Odermatt had his worst result of the season at 24th shortly before Christmas…
First win since 2008: This is Udermatt’s wild victory tour in front of an angry crowd(01:27)
Marco Odermatt to Victory: Tears came to me on the cable car.(01:36)
Carly to Udermatt Trimov: “I had chicken skin”(01:13)
Ski lovers watch out! Now take a quiz and write in skate racing
The 2021/2022 ski season really begins, and with it the newly launched “Blick Ski Trophy”: answer questions, write ski races and crown yourself a ski champion. Numerous prizes are waiting for you.
To participate in the “Blick Ski Trophy”, watch out for the cup icon on the mobile and desktop version or go directly to skitrophy.ws.blick.ch.
Have fun and good luck!
The 2021/2022 ski season really begins, and with it the newly launched “Blick Ski Trophy”: answer questions, write ski races and crown yourself a ski champion. Numerous prizes are waiting for you.
To participate in the “Blick Ski Trophy”, watch out for the cup icon on the mobile and desktop version or go directly to skitrophy.ws.blick.ch.
Have fun and good luck!
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