Paris claims super-G in Kvitfjell as Odermatt edges closer to title / Photo: Cornelius Poppe - NTB/AFP
Paris claims super-G in Kvitfjell as Odermatt edges closer to title
Italy's Dominik Paris won the super-G in Kvitfjell, Norway, on Sunday, while World Cup leader Marco Odermatt finished fourth to move closer to the crystal globe.
It was a successful weekend for 35-year-old Paris, who adds the super-G to the downhill victory he picked up on Friday to take him to a career-total 24 World Cup wins.
He raced past the line in a time of 1min 08.98 seconds, with Canada's James Crawford 0.38sec slower and Slovenian Miha Hrobat completing the podium a further 0.09sec behind.
"It was really good skiing from my side and the feeling was amazing," said Paris.
"I was just trying to be smooth and to bring always the speed... Seeing the green light, that was really surprising for me too."
Odermatt missed out on the podium by 0.01sec, but the Swiss star is assured of the super-G small globe after his main contender Mattia Casse injured himself during training last Wednesday.
With the 27-year-old being pipped to the podium by Hrobat, Sunday's race broke a streak of 22 consecutive men's World Cup super-G races with a Swiss skier among the top three -- dating back to March 2022.
"It's a nice feeling also to beat the Swiss," said Hrobat. "They're really, really good this year and it's quite an achievement."
Nonetheless, Odermatt moved 570 points ahead of Norway's Henrik Kristoffersen in the overall standings, meaning he needs just 30 more points to ensure himself a fourth consecutive title.
There remain 600 points to be distributed between now and the end of the season. However, Kristoffersen has not taken part in any speed events this winter and is unlikely be able to score more than an additional 400 points.
The duo are set to meet again in the giant slalom in Hafjell, Norway, next Saturday, where Odermatt will be expected to seal the World Cup.
R.Verbruggen--JdB
