Bitter tears from Odermatt: "That makes me feel stupid"

Marco Odermatt missed his dream of a downhill victory on the Streif by just seven hundredths of a second. The Swiss dominator even shed tears afterwards.

24 January 2026

From Kitzbühel

From:
Christoph Niederkofler

At the latest when the imposing sounds of Duel of the Fates from the film series Star Wars As the camera panned across the iconic sections of Mausefalle, Brückenschuss, and Hausbergkante, it was clear to everyone in the finish area: fates would be decided in Kitzbühel again this Saturday. One scenario, in particular, seemed especially promising. Just one day after his Super-G triumph, Marco Odermatt was the top favorite in the downhill; his greatest remaining dream was finally about to come true. While there was indeed a spectacular first victory on the Streif to celebrate, once again Lady Luck was not on the side of the Swiss dominator.

As Odermatt swung across the finish line, the number two lit up next to his name. His deficit to Giovanni Franzoni was a mere 0,07 seconds. While the 45.000 spectators gradually realized that a sensational victory was unfolding, the defeated world champion paused for a conspicuously long time. His head was bowed, his gaze fixed on the ground – what was going through his mind in those seconds? "There was simply disappointment. I needed a little time," Odermatt explained in a media briefing. SportNews.

Odermatt's energy strategy doesn't work.

On Friday, the four-time overall World Cup winner had announced that he had learned from last year's disappointment and intended to conserve his energy after his Super-G victory. He had apparently succeeded, as he himself stated that he delivered "my best run on the Streif." "I really put a lot of energy into today's race. Everything worked perfectly, I can't blame myself. That's why this is all so disappointing."

Marco Odermatt, Giovanni Franzoni and Maxence Muzaton (from left) in Kitzbühel. © ANSA / ANNA SZILAGYI

How important a victory on the Streif is to him became clear once again at the awards ceremony. As the 28-year-old raised his trophy to the Tyrolean sky, he had to wipe away a tear. Winner Giovanni Franzoni noticed the broken heart of his fiercest rival and comforted him. "I saw Odi with tears in his eyes and allowed myself to console him by telling him that he is a champion and that victory will come," said the rising star.

Odermatt: "That makes me feel stupid"

Olympic gold, World Championship titles, and both large and small crystal globes are already among Marco Odermatt's possessions: A victory on the Streif would be the crowning achievement of his unparalleled career. But for that to happen, everything has to come together perfectly; form, luck, and momentum all have to be on his side. Just like in 2025, the stars were aligned for Odermatt's ultimate triumph this year, a fact the heartbroken hero himself knew. "When you're healthy and fit, your equipment is perfect, and you're so close in the end – then it hurts especially badly," said Odermatt.

"I feel almost a little silly when I'm disappointed with second place." Marco Odermatt

"Who knows how long this fire will burn like this? And that's exactly what you need to win here. I won't get ten more chances like this," he remarked. Eurosport in the interview. But at the end of the day, it was still second place in the legendary Kitzbühel downhill, a success many athletes can only dream of. "I almost feel a bit silly being disappointed with second place," he admitted. "Especially around colleagues who have achieved far less and are consoling me. That makes me feel silly. But for me, it's a defeat."