In an unexpected turn of events at Alta Badia, Italy, it was Marco Schwarz who claimed victory in the World Cup giant slalom on Sunday, surpassing the anticipated favorite, Marco Odermatt. Schwarz, starting with bib No. 1, maintained his lead from start to finish, clocking a time of two minutes 35.02 seconds, edging out Lucas Pinheiro Braathen of Brazil by 18-100ths of a second.
Expressing his joy, Schwarz highlighted the significance of the win after a prolonged absence due to injury since his last triumph in December 2023. The Austrian skier emphasized the positive impact of the victory on himself and the entire team, embracing his compatriot Stefan Brennsteiner, who secured third place with a time of 2:35.24.
Pinheiro Braathen, who had been the only other skier to win a giant slalom at Alta Badia during Odermatt’s recent dominance, finished as the runner-up. Odermatt, possibly fatigued from a demanding schedule at Val Gardena, settled for sixth place with a time of 2:35.84, displaying rare frustration at the finish line despite maintaining a significant lead in the overall season standings.
For Schwarz, the triumph marked his seventh career World Cup victory and second in giant slalom, showcasing his versatility on the men’s circuit. The competition also saw Canadian skier Erik Read finishing in 32nd place after missing the top 30 in the initial run.
In a notable development, the race featured the return of the first Russian skier in a men’s World Cup event following a ban during the conflict in Ukraine. Aleksander Andrienko, granted neutral status by FIS, aimed to qualify for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Olympics. Additionally, the absence of Alexander Steen Olsen from Norway, opting for season-ending knee surgery, was a significant blow as he was a previous giant slalom winner and a potential medal contender at the Olympics, where Odermatt holds the title in the event.