Alpine World Ski Championships: Mayhem in super-G with dramatic crashes, perplexing false start as Marco Odermatt wins
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Published 07/02/2025 at 16:06 GMT
The final hill of the tricky Saalbach super-G course proved too much for a couple of competitors, as Marco Odermatt cruised home to complete his trio of world titles. Teo Zampa and Luis Vogt both lost control as the finish line beckoned, while Maksym Mariichyn was forced to traipse uphill due to the Slovakian's mishap. Odermatt finished exactly one second before silver medallist Raphael Haaser.
Odermatt roars after tearing down Super G course in Saalbach, goes quickest by over a second
Video credit: TNT Sports
Marco Odermatt breezed to his first super-G world title by a second, but not everyone had a straightforward run at Saalbach-Hinterglemm.
Two unfortunate racers had their chances of staying upright until the finish wiped out courtesy of a couple of dramatic crashes on the final hill.
The second of these falls had a knock-on effect for the unlucky Maksym Mariichyn, who was forced to climb back into the start gate shortly after setting off.
Germany's Luis Vogt was the first to worry the crowd as he chased Odermatt's lightning-quick 1:24.57, slipping to the snow before taking the final jump horizontally.
Both of Vogt's skis thankfully came off in the crash, as the 22-year-old slid all the way down and sent the timing board to the left of the finish line flying.
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Zampa crosses Saalbach line on his stomach in dramatic super-G session
Video credit: TNT Sports
Fortunately, Vogt was immediately back on his feet, as was Teo Zampa, who lost control mid-flight on the same jump and fell spinning and tumbling under the finish gate, losing a ski in the process.
Up next was Mariichyn, completely oblivious to the chaos unfolding downhill.
The Ukrainian released himself with expert timing but was immediately forced to trudge back up the steep incline and into the start gate.
But he too fell victim to the tricky Austrian course as one of 20 skiiers who failed to complete their run.
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Bizarre false start from Mariichyn at eventful Saalbach super-G
Video credit: TNT Sports
For Odermatt, it was redemption after placing fourth in Courcheval two years ago, completing his trio of giant slalom, downhill and super-g world gold medals.
"I had one of the best feelings ever on the slope," Odermatt told FIS after the race. "When I crossed the finish line, I already knew this will probably be hard to beat."
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"It's crazy to be a world champion in all my three disciplines. It was a perfect day. I had a good feeling from the very first day here in Saalbach.
"The snow fit me well, the hill anyway. I knew that from some years ago already, so I had a perfect run today."
In second place, home favourite Raphael Haaser came home exactly one second behind the Swiss superstar, while Adrian Smiseth Sejersted of Norway took bronze.
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