In a shocking turn of events just one day after his dominant super-G victory, Swiss alpine skiing sensation Marco Odermatt is out of the men’s giant slalom at Copper Mountain. The 28-year-old crashed during the first run on Friday (28 November), forcing him to abandon the race and leaving fans and teammates stunned.
Odermatt, who entered the day as the overwhelming favorite and defending overall World Cup champion, was charging down the demanding Colorado course with his trademark precision. But midway through the run, he lost control on a sharp left turn, sliding off the piste and into the netting. He was quickly attended to by medical staff and seen limping away, though initial reports suggest no serious injury – a small mercy after what appeared to be a high-speed wipeout.
The incident occurred on the heels of Odermatt’s triumphant return to the World Cup circuit on Thanksgiving Thursday, where he edged out Austria’s Vincent Kriechmayr by a razor-thin 0.08 seconds to claim the season-opening super-G win. That victory – his second consecutive opener in the discipline – had set the tone for what many predicted would be another banner year for the Nidwalden native, who has claimed the super-G crystal globe for the past three seasons straight.
“Oh no! Day over for Marco Odermatt,” read the immediate reactions rippling through the alpine community on social media, echoing the disbelief at the Copper Mountain venue. Eyewitnesses described the crash as sudden and uncharacteristic for Odermatt, known for his unflappable speed and technical mastery.
Swiss Ski officials confirmed the news shortly after, stating that Odermatt would undergo further evaluation but was “alert and in good spirits” despite the pain. “Marco is a fighter; this is just a setback,” said team coach Reto Weyer in a brief statement. “We’ll assess overnight and focus on getting him back strong.”
The crash opens the door for challengers in the overall standings. Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen, who sits just 10 points behind Odermatt after early-season showings, could capitalize, while Austria’s Marco Schwarz and France’s Cyprien Noel lurk as threats in the technical events.
Adding emotional weight to the weekend was the ongoing celebration of Aleksander Aamodt Kilde’s inspiring return to racing on Thursday, where the Norwegian finished a gritty 24th after 685 days sidelined by severe injuries. Kilde’s fiancée, American star Mikaela Shiffrin, was on hand for Odermatt’s super-G win, even snapping a photo of the two embracing in the finish area – a moment of camaraderie now tinged with concern.
As the second run proceeds without him, all eyes will be on Odermatt’s recovery ahead of next week’s high-stakes downhill in Lake Louise. For a skier who has redefined dominance in super-G and giant slalom, this abrupt exit serves as a stark reminder of the sport’s unforgiving nature. Updates on his condition are expected soon, but for now, the piste feels a little emptier without its king.
