Two years ago, it was precisely in Cortina that Odermatt experienced the first big disappointment of his career at the Worlds: very good 4th in the downhill, he only took 11th place in the super-G and then left as a giant, to remain fanny.

A month later, he was deprived of the big crystal globe by Frenchman Alexis Pinturault, after a cruel end-of-season scenario.

Cortina therefore does not necessarily carry good memories for the 25-year-old Swiss.

But the crack from Nidwalden has since taken on an exceptional dimension by winning the Olympic title as a giant then the big crystal globe in 2022. This season, he continues to impose his law on his opponents with 13 podiums including six victories, and sits on the top of the ranking.

A grain of sand has however come to stop the mechanics of this fine Swiss watchmaking.

Last Friday, on the mythical descent of Kitzbühel, Odermatt made up for an error in spectacular fashion but his gap and the shock of his recovery of support dealt a blow to his left knee.

"After the race, I had the feeling that something was not really normal. I have a history with my meniscus. So, I had an MRI which fortunately showed nothing serious. My ligaments were not affected, that was the good news. In fact, only the musculature and the meniscus seemed a little tired," he told Swiss media including the specialized site skiactu.ch.

Swiss Loic Meillard on the podium after winning the Ski World Cup giant slalom in Schladming, Austria, January 25, 2023 © ERWIN SCHERIAU / APA/AFP

The world No.1 was then forced to withdraw for the second descent on the Streif on Saturday, before zapping the giant of Schladming (Austria) on Wednesday.

He is currently part of the Swiss selection for the two super-Gs on Saturday and Sunday.

Present in the finish area on Wednesday to witness the triumph of his teammate and friend Loïc Meillard, "Odi" wanted to be reassuring.

"I'm fine, although I still feel my bruised knee. I'm taking the time I need because I don't want to skip the stages. It could do it for this weekend in Cortina, but today was too early to start I think I can ski in Cortina even if I'm not 100% It's important for me to participate in these World Cup races to keep up the pace for the World Championships from Courchevel, where I want to be 100%".

There is the rhythm but also the classification: the Swiss cannot afford to miss too many races, while his Norwegian rival Aleksander Aamodt Kilde has made up part of his delay to now clock in at 193 points.

The winner of the 2020 big globe, imperial in downhill and super-G this winter, managed a very good giant in Schladming (8th).

What put a slight pressure on Odermatt.

Norwegian Aleksander Aamodt Kilde after the second round of the Ski World Cup giant slalom in Schladming, Austria, January 25, 2023 © ERWIN SCHERIAU / APA/AFP

Program of the Men's World Cup in Cortina d'Ampezzo (in French time, GMT+1):

Saturday January 28: super-G at 11:10 a.m.

Sunday January 29: super-G at 10:15 a.m.

© 2023 AFP