Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany – Marco Odermatt of Switzerland secured his fourth downhill victory of the season on Saturday, leading a historic Swiss sweep of the podium at the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup event. The win not only solidifies Odermatt’s position at the top of the downhill standings but too marks a significant milestone for Swiss alpine skiing, representing the 18th all-time Swiss triple in World Cup history across all disciplines and the tenth in downhill specifically. This victory is particularly notable for Odermatt as it’s the first time he’s topped the podium in a race where his countrymen also claimed the second and third spots.
The Swiss dominance was completed by Alexis Monney in second place, just 0.04 seconds behind Odermatt and Stefan Rogentin in third. This impressive showing underscores the strength of the Swiss team in downhill skiing, a trend that has been building over recent seasons. The performance in Garmisch-Partenkirchen builds on a strong winter for Swiss skiers, including a giant slalom win by Loïc Meillard in Val d’Isère in December, where he was joined on the podium by Luca Aerni and Odermatt himself. This marked the second triple for the Swiss team this season.
A Season of Swiss Successes
This latest triumph is part of a broader pattern of success for Swiss skiers on the World Cup circuit. Over the past two seasons, Swiss athletes have achieved five triples – two in giant slalom and now three in downhill. The consistency of these results highlights the depth of talent within the Swiss program and their ability to perform at the highest level. According to the FIS, Odermatt’s near-flawless run down the demanding Kandahar course proved unbeatable, with the Swiss skier finding a pace that competitors couldn’t match.
For Odermatt, 26, this win is a particularly sweet moment. Although he has been part of four previous Swiss podium sweeps, this is the first time he has stood atop the podium in one. The victory comes after a challenging Olympic campaign where he didn’t secure a gold medal, and signals a return to peak form. He is now firmly in contention for the Downhill Crystal Globe, aiming for his third successive title. Olympics.com reports that this win further strengthens his lead in the World Cup standings.
A Look Back at Swiss Dominance
Switzerland has a long and storied history of success in alpine skiing, and these recent podium sweeps add to that legacy. Here’s a look back at some of the notable Swiss triples in World Cup history:
- 2026: Downhill, Garmisch-Partenkirchen – Marco Odermatt, Alexis Monney, Stefan Rogentin
- 2025: Giant Slalom, Val d’Isère – Loïc Meillard, Luca Aerni, Marco Odermatt
- 2025: Giant Slalom, Hafjell – Loïc Meillard, Marco Odermatt, Thomas Tumler
- 2025: Downhill, Kvitfjell – Franjo von Allmen, Marco Odermatt, Stefan Rogentin
- 2025: Downhill, Crans-Montana – Franjo von Allmen, Marco Odermatt, Alexis Monney
- 2024: Super-G, Saalbach – Stefan Rogentin, Loïc Meillard, Arnaud Boisset
- 1996: Downhill, Veysonnaz – Bruno Kernen, William Besse, Daniel Mahrer
- 1992: Super-G, Megève – Paul Accola, Martin Hangl, Franz Heinzer
- 1992: Downhill, Kitzbühel – Franz Heinzer, Daniel Mahrer, Xavier Gigandet
- 1987: Downhill, Calgary – Peter Müller, Franz Heinzer, Daniel Mahrer
- 1987: Downhill, Aspen – Pirmin Zurbriggen, Daniel Mahrer, Karl Alpiger
- 1986: Downhill, Las Lenas – Peter Müller, Karl Alpiger, Franz Heinzer
- 1985: Combined, Garmisch-Partenkirchen – Peter Müller, Peter Lüscher, Franz Heinzer
- 1983: Giant Slalom, Adelboden – Pirmin Zurbriggen, Max Julen, Jacques Lüthy
- 1982: Combined, Val d’Isère – Franz Heinzer, Peter Müller, Peter Lüscher
- 1982: Super-G, Val d’Isère – Peter Müller, Peter Lüscher, Pirmin Zurbriggen
- 1975: Downhill, Megève – Walter Vesti, Rene Berthod, Philippe Roux
- 1971: Downhill, Saint-Moritz – Walter Tresch, Bernhard Russi, Andreas Sprecher
Looking Ahead
Odermatt’s performance in Garmisch-Partenkirchen has significantly boosted his chances of securing the Downhill Crystal Globe. The remaining races on the World Cup calendar will be crucial as he aims to maintain his lead and fend off challenges from competitors. The Swiss team’s continued success suggests they will remain a force to be reckoned with throughout the rest of the season. The next World Cup downhill event is scheduled for [future date/location – information not available in provided sources], where Odermatt will look to build on his momentum.
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