Val Gardena (Italy) (AFP)

A true alpine ski prodigy, the Swiss Marco Odermatt has been confirming for several months his multifaceted talent which will quickly make him a potential winner of the general classification of the World Cup, which he finds this Friday in Val Garderna (Italy).

Davos (Switzerland), February 2018, a local dazzles the world junior championships: Marco Odermatt crushes the competition and wins four titles (downhill, super-G, giant, combined). New hope?

A few months later, the blonde with the wild wicks ascending surfer confirms in the World Cup with a first victory over the super-G of Beaver Creek on December 6, a few months after his first two podiums in giant (3rd at Kranjska Gora in Slovenia then 2nd at Soldeu in Andorra in March).

"I never thought it would go so fast for me to the summits, says the young man from the canton of Nidwalden (central Switzerland), rode on skis at the age of two. After the Junior Worlds 2018 in Davos, I first suffered in the World Cup to qualify in the top 30. It made me realize that the march was high between the world of juniors and the elite. "

Since then, Marco Odermatt has caught up well and has impressed with his versatility, when he is already lining up at the age of 22 in downhill, super-G, giant and combined in the World Cup.

"I like all disciplines, he says. I even do slalom in training. I like to alternate, it allows me to change my mind, not to get stuck. I hope I can make the most of races as long as possible. If I plan my season carefully and take time to recover, it will be possible to achieve results in several disciplines. "

- The revenge of the Swiss? -

In his country, where skiing is a major sport, Marco Odermatt and his Swiss Army knife profile carries all the hopes of a future victory in the Big Crystal Globe, expected among boys since the success of Carlo Janka in 2010. He is currently 8th in the general classification at 94 points from Alexis Pinturault.

"This summer, I could still walk in the streets without too many problems but the requests increase more and more, indicates this fan of Didier Cuche and Roger Federer. This is a good sign, it also means that I run fast . Autographs and selfies are part of the job. "

After the cancellation of Wednesday's training downhill in Val Gardena due to the fog, Odermatt did not line up on Thursday's training downhill, but presented himself with great ambitions on the super-G on Friday.

Val Gardena stage program (in French time):

Friday December 20: Super-G at 11:45 a.m.

Saturday December 21: descent at 11:45 am

© 2019 AFP