In a stunning display of skiing prowess, Swiss standout Marco Odermatt has been named “skier of the year” by the federation of ski journalists for the second time in his career. This prestigious honor comes on the heels of a truly remarkable season that saw Odermatt dominate the slopes like never before.
A Season for the Ages
Odermatt’s 2023-2024 campaign was one for the record books. The 26-year-old phenom racked up an astonishing 13 World Cup victories en route to capturing his third consecutive overall title. His mastery extended across disciplines, as he notched his first-ever downhill wins while also maintaining his stranglehold on the giant slalom.
Giant Slalom Dominance
Perhaps most impressive was Odermatt’s unprecedented run of success in his signature event, the giant slalom. He strung together a mind-boggling nine straight victories, falling just shy of the all-time record when he failed to finish the final race of the season. As one ski journalist put it, “Marco’s GS skiing this year was simply on another level. He made the best in the world look ordinary.”
“Marco’s GS skiing this year was simply on another level. He made the best in the world look ordinary.”
– Ski journalist on Odermatt’s giant slalom dominance
Olympic Glory and Media Praise
Of course, this is not the first time Odermatt has been recognized with the “skier of the year” honor. He previously won the award in 2022 after a stellar showing at the Beijing Olympics, where he claimed two gold medals. The ski journalists also commended Odermatt for his grace and professionalism off the slopes, noting his “kindness with fans” and “keen availability to media.”
Chasing History
As Odermatt looks ahead to the 2024-2025 season, he has a chance to further cement his legacy as one of the all-time greats. With four overall titles, he would match the legendary Pirmin Zurbriggen for the most by a Swiss skier. And if he can maintain his giant slalom supremacy, the elusive single-season win record may yet fall.
- 4 overall titles would tie Pirmin Zurbriggen’s Swiss record
- Single-season GS win record still in play
- Potential to add speed event titles (downhill, super-G)
Regardless of what the future holds, there is no denying that Marco Odermatt has already secured his place among the skiing elite. Back-to-back “skier of the year” awards serve as fitting recognition for a generational talent who continues to push the boundaries of what is possible on the mountain. As the ski world eagerly awaits his next chapter, one thing is certain: the legend of Marco Odermatt is still being written.
