Marco Odermatt is dominating the Ski World Cup again this year. He was denied victory in the downhill on the Streif.
What happened?
Marco Büchel, a former downhill champion, hoped Odermatt wouldn't win in Kitzbühel. Büchel wants Odermatt to have his big goal for even longer and stay hungry.
Why it matters for Marco Odermatt
Odermatt has won almost everything in alpine skiing, but victory in the downhill in Kitzbühel is still missing. Büchel thinks achieving this last major goal could make Odermatt lose motivation.
Odermatt himself hinted at doubts about his hunger to win. Büchel expects Odermatt to reduce his program in the medium term due to the enormous workload.
What comes next?
Büchel believes Odermatt will catch up with Marcel Hirscher's 67 wins, maybe even Ingemar Stenmark's 86. However, Büchel thinks Odermatt will miss races over time and might give up giant slaloms.
The overall World Cup could become less important for Odermatt. Büchel would have bet on Odermatt winning the Streif triumph, but unfortunately lost by 7 hundredths.
Büchel thinks Odermatt learned from last year's mistakes on the Streif. Odermatt's current program with three disciplines is too intense and wears him out.
And so, Odermatt will have to adjust his strategy to achieve his goals. Büchel's comments suggest Odermatt's dominance might not last forever.
But for now, Odermatt remains the man to beat in alpine skiing. His determination to win is still strong, and he will keep pushing himself to achieve more.
So, the question is, what's next for Marco Odermatt? Will he finally win the downhill in Kitzbühel, or will he have to wait another year?
Odermatt's fans will be eagerly waiting to see what happens next. One thing is certain, though - Odermatt will keep fighting for more victories and titles.