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<\/a>GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, GERMANY,28.FEB.26 \u2013 Alexis Monney (SUI), Marco Odermatt (SUI) and Stefan Rogentin (SUI). Keywords: trophy. Photo: GEPA pictures\/ Harald Steiner<\/p>\nThis was not a one-man performance.<\/p>\n
Alexis Monney entered with three career World Cup downhill podiums and one victory. He left with another, missing the win by four hundredths. His mid-course attack nearly rewrote the result.<\/p>\n
Stefan Rogentin came in with two downhill podiums on his r\u00e9sum\u00e9. He added a third by setting the early benchmark and forcing the field to chase.<\/p>\n
A Swiss 1\u20132\u20133 sweep on Kandahar 1 \u2014 a track that punishes hesitation and rewards strength \u2014 underscores more than individual brilliance. It reflects depth. It reflects control. Switzerland does not rely on one athlete. It arrives with layers.<\/p>\n
For Odermatt, sharing the podium mattered.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom this side, a perfect race \u2014 it couldn\u2019t be any better,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s a big step to the downhill globe. And to share it again with two of my friends on the podium\u2026 we\u2019ve had many triple victories the last couple of years. To be there on top together with friends is the best feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Swiss are not just winning races. They are tightening their grip on the discipline.<\/p>\n
Monney: Turning Frustration Into Speed<\/p>\n
Alexis Monney nearly stole the race.<\/p>\n
Matching Odermatt through the steep upper section, the 26-year-old carried speed into the middle sectors and looked ready to overturn the standings narrative. A slight loss of glide on the lower flats proved decisive, leaving him just 0.04 seconds short.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wasn\u2019t really happy with my Olympic downhill,\u201d Monney said. \u201cI was disappointed. But I managed to turn that bad energy into good energy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kandahar suited him.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis slope is really technical, and I like that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
As for the razor-thin margin?<\/p>\n
\u201cOn the bottom he was so fast,\u201d Monney said. \u201cBut that\u2019s life.\u201d<\/p>\n
The run marked a clear return to form.<\/p>\n
Rogentin Defies His Own Doubt<\/p>\n
Stefan Rogentin attacked from bib 3 and never backed off.<\/p>\n
In his previous five World Cup downhills, he had finished outside the top 24 four times. Yet on Saturday, he set the early benchmark and forced the favorites to respond.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe feeling wasn\u2019t that good,\u201d Rogentin said. \u201cEspecially on the first part. I didn\u2019t feel like I had enough grip. I was a little bit too direct.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite that uncertainty, the clock told a different story.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I was pretty fast in the upper part,\u201d he added. \u201cThe rest was solid.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kandahar demands full-body tension and total focus.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you come here, you need tension in your body and you have to be fully focused,\u201d Rogentin said.<\/p>\n
The result marked the third World Cup downhill podium of his career \u2014 and completed a Swiss sweep that reinforced where the balance of power now sits.<\/p>\n
Updated World Cup Downhill Standings<\/p>\n
(After 7 of 9 races)<\/p>\n
\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udded Marco Odermatt (SUI, 1997, St\u00f6ckli) \u2014 610 pts<\/p>\n
\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udded Franjo von Allmen (SUI, 2001, Head) \u2014 \u2212175<\/p>\n
\ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddf9 Dominik Paris (ITA, 1989, Nordica) \u2014 \u2212285<\/p>\n
\ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddf9 Giovanni Franzoni (ITA, 2001) \u2014 \u2212336<\/p>\n
\ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddf9 Florian Schieder (ITA, 1995, Atomic) \u2014 \u2212359<\/p>\n
Odermatt\u2019s 175-point cushion with two downhills remaining places him firmly in control of the globe race. Barring a dramatic swing, the discipline title is his to lose.<\/p>\n
Austria and Italy: Close, But Not Enough<\/p>\n
Austria\u2019s best chance came from Vincent Kriechmayr, who finished 4th (+1.20). Despite nine career downhill victories, Austria\u2019s search for a victory in the discipline continues.<\/p>\n
Italy placed two inside the top 10. Giovanni Franzoni, the Olympic silver medalist and this season\u2019s Kitzb\u00fchel winner, tied for 4th. Dominik Paris, owner of 19 World Cup downhill victories and 34 podiums, finished 9th after showing early speed but losing ground late.<\/p>\n
Olympic champion Franjo von Allmen crossed 6th (+1.47), competitive but not decisive.<\/p>\n
Stifel U.S. Ski Team<\/p>\n
Ryan Cochran-Siegle led the Americans, finishing 7th (+1.50). The Olympic Super-G silver medalist remains a consistent presence near the front.<\/p>\n
Cochran-Siegle said the result was a step forward, even if the run was not perfect.<\/p>\n
\u201cOverall I\u2019m happy with it,\u201d he said. \u201cThe snow felt more spring-like today, and I was a little off in the first technical section. But I got more committed as the run went on and skied better by the bottom.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that the performance helps rebuild rhythm in the discipline.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about putting it together from top to bottom, but today was a good step toward building consistency again in downhill.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cochran-Siegle also pointed to his teammate\u2019s performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cHonestly, the day really belongs to Erik,\u201d he said. \u201cTo attack from the back and move up to 11th in those conditions was impressive.\u201d<\/p>\n
The breakout performance came from Erik Arvidsson (bib 44), who delivered 11th (+1.78). It marks his third career World Cup top-15 result.<\/p>\n
Independent American Wiley Maple of Aspen, Colorado, once again scored points, finishing 25th (+2.79). Competing independently in downhill \u2014 the most equipment-dependent discipline \u2014 remains one of the toughest paths in alpine racing, yet Maple continues to find speed.<\/p>\n
Maple has now scored in three straight World Cup downhills, a rare stretch of consistency for an independent racer.<\/p>\n
\u201cCertainly heartening to be on a roll,\u201d Maple said. \u201cNot sure if I\u2019ve ever had three in a row in the same event.\u201d<\/p>\n
He believed there was even more available on Kandahar 1.<\/p>\n
\u201cFelt good on my skis the last two days \u2014 knew there was more in the tank,\u201d he said. \u201cBlew the right footer onto the flats which was frustrating. But very nice to snag a couple points.\u201d<\/p>\n
Maple credited ski preparation for the momentum.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think Will Gregorak and I have dialed in the ski prep,\u201d he said. \u201cJust need a real heater to keep the dream alive.\u201d<\/p>\n
USA Results<\/p>\n
7th, Bib 9 \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 Ryan Cochran-Siegle (USA), 1992 \u2014 +1.50 \u2014 Head<\/p>\n
11th, Bib 44 \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 Erik Arvidsson (USA), 1996 \u2014 +1.78 \u2014 Head<\/p>\n
25th, Bib 39 \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 Wiley Maple (USA), 1990 \u2014 +2.79 \u2014 Atomic<\/p>\n
33rd, Bib 1 \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 Bryce Bennett (USA), 1992 \u2014 +3.14<\/p>\n
40th, Bib 29 \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 Kyle Negomir (USA), 1998 \u2014 +3.86 \u2014 Atomic<\/p>\n
42nd, Bib 43 \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 Jared Goldberg (USA), 1991 \u2014 +4.47<\/p>\n
48th, Bib 48 \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 Sam Morse (USA), 1996 \u2014 +12.59<\/p>\n
Alpine Canada and GB Snowsport<\/p>\n
Cameron Alexander produced Canada\u2019s top result in 14th (+2.02) as he continues his return from knee injury.<\/p>\n
Canada Results<\/p>\n
14th, Bib 16 \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 Cameron Alexander (CAN), 1997 \u2014 +2.02<\/p>\n
28th, Bib 4 \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 James Crawford (CAN), 1997 \u2014 +2.92<\/p>\n
34th, Bib 34 \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 Brodie Seger (CAN), 1995 \u2014 +3.16 \u2014 Atomic<\/p>\n
38th, Bib 40 \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 Jeffrey Read (CAN), 1997 \u2014 +3.64 \u2014 Atomic<\/p>\n
Great Britain Results<\/p>\n
47th, Bib 52 \ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7 Roy-Alexander Steudle (GBR), 1993 \u2014 +7.15 \u2014 Atomic<\/p>\n
For GB Snowsport, Roy-Alexander Steudle was the lone entry and finished 47th (+7.15).<\/p>\n
Top 30 Finishers \u2014 Bib 31 or Higher<\/p>\n
(Place, Bib, Flag, Name, Country, YOB verified; deficit to Odermatt; equipment only if partner brand.)<\/p>\n
11th, Bib 44 \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 Erik Arvidsson (USA), 1996 \u2014 +1.78 \u2014 Head<\/p>\n
12th, Bib 42 \ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddee Martin \u010cater (SLO), 1992 \u2014 +1.93<\/p>\n
17th, Bib 37 \ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddea Felix Mons\u00e9n (SWE), 1994 \u2014 +2.22 \u2014 Atomic<\/p>\n
25th, Bib 39 \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 Wiley Maple (USA), 1990 \u2014 +2.79 \u2014 Atomic<\/p>\n
26th, Bib 50 \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 Sam Alphand (FRA), 1997 \u2014 +2.91<\/p>\n
29th, Bib 31 \ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddf9 Marco Schwarz (AUT), 1995 \u2014 +2.96 \u2014 Atomic<\/p>\n
Looking Ahead to Super-G<\/p>\n
The celebration will be short.<\/p>\n
The World Cup schedule moves quickly, and another opportunity comes immediately in Super-G.<\/p>\n
\u201cFirst, we will enjoy today,\u201d Odermatt said. \u201cThen we look forward to tomorrow\u2019s race. We know how to ski this hill now. Even if the conditions change a little, we need to ski clean, have the skis under the body and try to attack.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Kandahar 1, that approach brought victory.<\/p>\n
And it brought Marco Odermatt one step closer to another downhill globe.<\/p>\n
\t Top 30 results<\/p>\n Click images to enlarge<\/p>\n Analysis of the top three and North Americans among the top 30<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n