Industry News
Swiss alpine skier Marco Odermatt has once again demonstrated his dominance in the sport by clinching his fourth consecutive Overall Crystal Globe at the Audi FIS Ski World Cup finals in Sun Valley, Idaho. In addition, Odermatt claimed the Giant Slalom, Super-G, and Downhill season title. These achievements underscore his excellence across multiple disciplines throughout the 2024-25 season. Odermatt has in total won 13 crystal globes—big and small. By comparison, Marcel Hirscher has won 20, Ingemar Stenmark 18, and Pirmin Zurbriggen 15. He holds the record for the most podiums in one season with 22 podiums—a record he shares with legendary Austrian ski racer Hermann Maier.
After a tricky start to the World Cup season last year, which saw Odermatt record a DNF on his first run at the season opener in Sölden, Austria, the Swiss ski racer went on to dominate the remainder of the season, winning eight out of the 24 races and standing on the podium another nine times, giving him a podium ratio of 68%. In fact, since the 2021-22 season, Odermatt has won 24 out of 36 Giant Slalom races—a 67% success ratio,, making him one of the most successful competitors of all times. His ability to maintain such a high level of performance highlights his dedication and skill on the slopes.
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Reflecting on his season, the X-Bionic athlete stated, “I just try to keep pushing, to perform at every race. It’s super tough to do that, but I don’t want to lose, and that’s what motivates me.” His relentless drive was evident in the men’s Giant Slalom on March 26, where he climbed from sixth place after the first run to finish second overall. “Today was a very important race to finish strong and perform at a high level at the end of the season,” he added.
Odermatt secured the Overall Globe after the penultimate Giant Slalom race, where his second-place finish placed him 655 points ahead of Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen. With only one race remaining and a maximum of 100 points available, his lead became insurmountable, concluding the season with 1,721 points. Kristoffersen finished second in the Overall standings with 1,116 points, while Switzerland’s Loïc Meillard claimed third place with 1,076 points. Odermatt also holds the record for most points earned in one season, which he achieved in the 2022-23 season, where he earned a total of 2,042 points.
This season, Odermatt achieved a rare feat by winning the Giant Slalom, Super-G, Downhill, and Overall Crystal Globes, marking his second consecutive year securing four titles. The only crystal globe he did not claim was the one for Slalom skiing—a discipline Odermatt does not compete in. His accomplishment across the three disciplines solidifies his status as one of the greatest alpine skiers of his generation.
Comparing Odermatt’s achievements to past legends, his four consecutive Overall World Cup titles place him alongside some of the sport’s greats. Austrian skier Marcel Hirscher holds the record with eight consecutive titles from 2012 to 2019, while Sweden’s Ingemar Stenmark, renowned for his technical prowess, secured the Overall title twice during his illustrious career. Odermatt’s versatility across disciplines draws parallels to Austria’s Hermann Maier, who claimed the Overall title four times between 1998 and 2004.
Born on October 8, 1997, in Buochs, Switzerland, Odermatt has been a prominent figure in alpine skiing from a young age. He gained international attention by winning five gold medals at the 2018 Junior World Championships. His transition to the World Cup circuit has been marked by a series of successes. In addition, Odermatt has won a Gold medal in Giant Slalom at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and multiple World Championship titles.
As the 2024-25 season concludes, Odermatt’s achievements not only add to his growing legacy but also inspire a new generation of skiers. His dedication, resilience, and pursuit of excellence continue to elevate the sport of alpine skiing. At only 27 years of age, it is safe to anticipate more records from this incredible talent.
