Odermatt beats Kilde for super-G win in World Cup rivalry

Marco Odermatt first. Aleksander Aamodt Kilde second.

Their 1-2 finish in Thursday's World Cup super-G could be repeated at next month's Beijing Olympics and on the professional circuit for years to come.

Odermatt, a 24-year-old emerging Swiss star, beat his Norwegian rival by 0.23 seconds. Matthias Mayer, the 2018 Olympic champion in super-G, was 0.58 behind in third place for his third podium place of the season in a discipline dominated by the two standouts.

Odermatt added this victory to his super-G season-opening win in Colorado. Kilde then won three straight, starting when Odermatt was runner-up in Beaver Creek the next day.

WATCH | Odermatt bests rival Kilde to claim World Cup super-G title:

Switzerland's Marco Odermatt skis to another victory in home country

3 years ago

Duration 1:53

Five days after becoming the first Swiss skier to win the giant slalom race in Adelbobden in 14 years, Marco Odermatt won the World Cup super-G in Wengen, Switzerland.

"It's a cool fight we have together," Kilde said after Odermatt ended his winning streak. "He's just a great, incredible skier and also a human. He's just always smiling and he's fair. I love that."

The respect was clear when Kilde came into the finish area, saw he had not matched Odermatt's time and smiled while pointing toward his rival in the course-side leader's seat.

Odermatt returned the gesture wearing a big grin with his sixth race win of the World Cup season seeming more secure.

The 100 points extended Odermatt's big lead in the overall World Cup standings over Kilde, the 2020 champion.

Kilde still leads the season-long super-G standings ahead of Odermatt. Mayer is in third place in both categories.

Odermatt's victory came in his racing debut in Wengen, a storied venue in skiing history for Switzerland and the 55-year-old World Cup circuit.

Toronto native Jack Crawford had a strong run to finish 5th, 0.77 seconds behind Odermatt.

Canada had four other participants, with Brodie Seger finishing 17th, Broderick Thompson 31st, Jeffrey Read 41st, and Riley Seger 45th.

WATCH | Toronto's Jack Crawford finishes 5th at the World Cup super-G:

Toronto's Jack Crawford finishes 5th in Wengen super-G

3 years ago

Duration 1:59

Toronto's Jack Crawford skied to a fifth-place finish in the men's World Cup super-G in Wengen, Switzerland.

Perfect weather and snow conditions delivered a top speed for Odermatt of nearly 138 kph (86 mph). That is faster than racers reach on some downhills.

More sunshine and clear skies are forecast for downhill races on Friday and Saturday.