Once again imperial on a slightly shortened Lauberhorn, wind forces, "Hulk" pushed back the Swiss world No. 1 to 88/100th and the Italian Mattia Casse, for the second time on a World Cup podium after the descent of Val Gardena in December, at 1 sec 01/100.

The Norwegian colossus built his 19th victory on the world circuit, already the sixth this season, from the start while sliding on the track, before finding the ideal trajectory in the winding "path", a sector where the slightest brake is very costly. dear.

Less fair on the top of the track, with a small mistake when landing the famous "dog's head" - a blind jump between two rocks -, Odermatt once again took all the risks to achieve an end of race breathtaking.

If he is still chasing after his first downhill success and gave up 60 points to Kilde during the Wengen stage, the 25-year-old Swiss prodigy is flying towards a second consecutive big globe thanks to his giant supremacy, with 340 points. ahead of the Norwegian.

Last for Feuz

Despite the skirmish between the two champions, once again sumptuous as they mutually push each other to their limits, neither could compete, in the applause meter, with the darling of Wengen Beat Feuz.

Swiss Marco Odermatt (left) and Norwegian Aleksander Aamodt Kilde in Wengen, Switzerland, January 14, 2023 © Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

Appreciated from the start gate, for his last appearance in an event he won three times (2012, 2018, 2020), the Olympic champion in the specialty took 5th place at 1 sec 25/100th, acclaimed by more of 10,000 cheering spectators.

"Kugelblitz" ("Ball of fire"), his 16 World Cup successes and four downhill globes, his legendary touch of snow, his relaxation and his slight belly will leave the world circuit after the Kitzbühel stage, leaving the memory of an artist of the discipline and an atypical athlete.

The Bernese beat the surprising Austrian technician Marco Schwarz, sixth in the first descent of his life on the world circuit, a performance that bodes well before trying to retain his combined title at the Méribel-Courchevel Worlds (February 6-19). ).

The Swiss Beat Feuz in Wengen, Switzerland, January 14, 2023 © Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

In the absence of Johan Clarey, withdrawal for personal reasons, Maxence Muzaton was the best Frenchman, 11th, while Adrien Théaux and Nils Allègre respectively took 18th and 21st places.

Cyprien Sarrazin, after an excellent start to the race, made a mistake but was able to get up and come down on his skis.

© 2023 AFP