This Sunday, Swiss Marco Odermatt set the best time in the first round of the Sölden giant. Alexis Pinturault is thirteenth.
Kick-off of the 2025-2026 season of the men’s Alpine Ski World Cup. This Sunday, near Sölden in Austria, the giant opening of this new exercise takes place. At the end of the first round, contested in particularly complicated conditions, with fog or a certain lack of visibility, it was the Swiss Marco Odermatt, who started with bib number 3 and holder, in particular, of the small globe of the specialty, who set the best time, in 58″18.
Despite everything, nothing is done for the reigning Olympic champion in the specialty. Indeed, in ambush, we find the Austrian Marco Schwarz, second at only 0.01 after gaining half a second from Odermatt at the end of the course. Third, his compatriot Stefan Brennsteiner, who started with bib number 1, is 0”25 behind. On the other hand, the Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen had to settle for fifth time, at 0”73, while the Swiss Loïc Meillard is further away (9th at 0”96).
Grouped fire from the French
Reigning world champion in this specialty, the Austrian Raphael Haaser is only 17th at 1”61 after making a big mistake. The first Frenchman, out of the eight entered, Alexis Pinturault, who started with bib number 24, finished in thirteenth place, at 1”36. Behind him, in fourteenth position, we find his compatriot Thibaud Favrot, at 1”45. At 1”46, in sixteenth place, ranks Flavio Vitale.
Alban Elezi Cannaferina, 25th, will also go to the second round. Which is not the case for Loevan Parand, 43rd, and Guerlain Favre, 55th. Some were unable to complete this first act. This is the case, in particular, of the Brazilian Lucas Braathen, after his exit from the track, or of the French Léo Anguenot and Diego Orecchioni. The second round of this giant opening of the 2025-2026 season will start from 1:00 p.m.
