Alpine skiing World Cup: Marco Odermatt seals fourth crystal globe of season following ‘strange’ downhill finish
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Updated 24/03/2024 at 22:04 GMT
Marco Odermatt said it felt "strange" to win the downhill crystal globe at the Alpine Skiing World Cup after the final race was called off. Poor weather in Austria meant he and Cyprien Sarrazin were unable to race with 100 points available and only 42 separating the pair. Despite winning a fourth title of the season, Odermatt said he would have liked to "battle it out" with his French counterpart.
‘Something special’ - Odermatt overjoyed to win downhill title for fourth World Cup crystal globe
Marco Odermatt labelled his downhill crystal globe triumph as “strange” after the final race in Austria was cancelled due to poor weather, which meant he finished as champion.
With 100 points up for grabs going into the deciding race, the Swiss led France's Cyprien Sarrazin by 42 points.
Odermatt prepared for the race knowing he could clinch his fourth globe of the season, after already sealing the top prize in the overall, super-G and giant slalom disciplines.
Although he became the first person since Austria's Hermann Maier in 2001 to win four globes in one campaign, Odermatt said he would have liked the opportunity to “battle it out” with Sarrazin.
“For sure, it's very strange to win a globe after such a tight battle with Cyprien,” Odermatt said after sealing his fourth title of the season.
“We both would have been ready for every decision. We saw it on the inspection. I'm not sure safety can be guaranteed.
“It's a good decision for sure from my side, but I think as well for the sport it was a fair decision. But we would have liked to battle it out.”
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Odermatt celebrates winning downhill title for fourth World Cup crystal globe
Sarrazin, 29, was completely understanding of the decision to cancel the race, despite missing out on the chance to pip his Swiss opponent at the last.
Although the season ended in disappointment, he said it was “an amazing journey”.
“For safety, it was a good decision, so there is no problem,” Sarrazin said.
“I wanted to have a fair race and a safe race and that's how it is. We will enjoy tonight because it was an amazing season.
“I'm really happy. I'm proud of myself. I never stopped believing.”
Odermatt claimed victory in two of the eight downhills across the course of the season, while Sarrazin was victorious on three occasions.
Odermatt’s compatriot, Lara Gut-Behrami, could not match the 26-year-old’s achievement of four globes in one season, when she would have become only the fourth woman to do so.
She also won the titles in the overall, giant slalom and super-G disciplines, but was narrowly outdone by Austria's Cornelia Huetter.
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