The FIS season opener was marked by stunning weather and a record attendance of 33,000 spectators, bolstered by the returns of stars Marcel Hirscher and Lucas Braathen. Excitement grew as Braathen, skiing for Brazil, showcased skill despite a year off, while Hirscher, competing for the Netherlands, impressed after a five-year hiatus. Meanwhile, Swiss Ski faced challenges with Lara Gut-Behrami’s injury concerns and Marco Odermatt’s unexpected exit, leading to a disappointing performance in the race standings.
The FIS marketing team likely envisioned a spectacular start to the ski season, featuring beautiful weather, enthusiastic crowds, and high-caliber competition marked by thrilling comebacks. The return of skiing legends Marcel Hirscher and Lucas Braathen certainly elevated the excitement of the World Cup.
Statistics revealed that on Sunday, a record-breaking 17,200 fans filled the finish area at Rettenbachferner, surpassing the 15,800 attendees from the women’s event the previous day. This brought the weekend’s total to 33,000 spectators. Austrian broadcaster ORF was thrilled too, as the men’s race attracted one million viewers during the first run, a significant increase from the 600,000 viewers in 2023.
ORF made a grand spectacle of Hirscher’s return, treating him like a skiing legend. Viewers were shown his warm-up routines, which included stretching and cooling his ski boots with ice spray—an impressive sight. Although Hirscher now competes for the Netherlands, he remains a revered figure in Austria.
On the slopes, Lucas Braathen, now representing Brazil, also made a remarkable return after a year off. In his second run, he delivered a strong performance, crossing the finish line to the delight of the crowd, even breaking into a short samba celebration. Hirscher capitalized on his advantageous start position, achieving the third-best time in the final run. An ORF presenter remarked, “What a fantastic experience!”
Friendship and Competition: A Heartwarming Moment
The excitement didn’t end there. This summer, the FIS introduced a unique rule allowing former stars, who have been retired for between two and ten years, to re-enter competitions beyond the top 30 without having to accumulate points through initial races. Hirscher raced with number 34 in Sölden, while Braathen, having not retired long enough, was assigned number 41.
Braathen quickly proved his speed, finishing fourth, only behind three Norwegian competitors. After a significant spell as the leader, he was eventually surpassed by Atle Lie McGrath—his close friend and former teammate, which led to a touching embrace and a friendly kiss on the cheek.
Just moments later, Henrik Kristoffersen narrowly took the lead from McGrath. However, it was Alexander Steen Olsen, who had the fastest first run, who ultimately secured his maiden giant slalom victory. Olsen, regarded as one of the brightest talents in the Norwegian team, has already clinched a slalom title and is set to make his mark in technical disciplines.
Challenges for Swiss Ski Team
Unfortunately, the season opener was not a banner day for Swiss Ski. Last winter, Lara Gut-Behrami and Marco Odermatt had dominated the rankings, capturing multiple season titles and even the nation’s trophy. However, at Sölden, they faced a slew of setbacks.
Lara Gut-Behrami, recovering from a knee injury and flu, felt unfit and tearfully considered withdrawing prior to her run. With speculation about her retirement looming, fans wondered if her decision to skip Sölden could influence her entire season or if she would be ready for the upcoming races.
Another disappointment occurred on Sunday when Loïc Meillard, who was expected to be a strong contender, sustained a back injury during practice, preventing him from competing.
Is it all smooth sailing for Odermatt? The reigning champion felt confident with his number 1 bib, but alas, his run was cut short when he misjudged a gate and fell after just over 30 seconds on the course. This was a stark reminder that even the strongest skiers face unpredictable challenges.
Despite his accolades—twelve consecutive giant slalom victories leading into this season—Odermatt’s early exit showcased that pressure can derail even the best performances. While he had briefly led the field, his misstep mirrored a similar incident from last spring.
In terms of overall results, the performances of the Swiss team were disappointing. Gino Caviezel finished in 9th place, while Camille Rast came in at 12th, leaving Switzerland ranked 4th in the nation’s standings, just ahead of Brazil.