The Alpine Ski World Cup season kicks off this Saturday, and all eyes turn to the iconic Rettenbach Glacier in Sölden. Due to its unique conditions, this venue traditionally serves as the season opener. So, on October 26th and 27th, at 10:00 CET the battle for the small and big Crystal Globes begins, and the fans are indeed in for some real surprises and sensations.
Rettenbach Glacier: Hard, Steep and Capricious
Sölden’s Rettenbach Glacier is a challenging slope located at an altitude of 3,040 meters, making it one of the highest and hardest courses in the World Cup circuit. The skiers have to cope with the lack of oxygen and the unbending surface.
The course starts with a 65% gradient at the top, making less courageous skiers faint as they look down into the abyss. As the racers descend, they navigate a total vertical drop of 370 meters over a 1,260-meter-long trail. Of course, the difficulty of the course depends on the course-setters, but at some moments, the racers can reach speeds of 65-80kmph.
The weather on the glacier is capricious and can change rapidly. The two-run giant slalom competition, with its blend of speed and technique, is physically one of the most demanding disciplines. Combined with the icy patches and formidable surfaces, these races can test how well the athletes trained over the summer.
Ladies to Watch on Saturday
The action starts with the skiing heroines on Saturday, October 26th, and both experienced and rising stars will take up the glove. Veteran skiers like Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI) and Federica Brignone (ITA) lead the field, both coming off strong last season. For Gut-Behrami, a win would make her the most successful female skier in Sölden; she certainly loves the Rettenbach slope. Don’t forget Sara Hector (SWE), who scored her first WC win in Sölden two years ago, which kicked off her first star season.
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Meanwhile, younger talents like Alice Robinson (NZL), who claimed her first World Cup title in Sölden at just 17, and emerging stars Zrinka Ljutic (CRO) and Thea Louise Stjernesund (NOR) are looking to challenge the old guard, especially at the beginning of the season young athletes can surprise the competition.
However, the most shining star remains Mikaela Shiffrin (USA); although she missed six racing weeks last year due to a knee injury, her experience ensures this does not make her race-rusty. The ski star conveyed at a press conference that her summer training went perfectly, and she feels mentally and physically invigorated and ready.
Who Can Stop Odermatt?
The question in the Saunday race stands clear: can anyone catch Marco Odermatt (SUI)?
The Swiss Superstar enters the Sölden GS race as the apparent favorite, having won both the 2021 and 2022 races and 21 out of 28 World Cup GS races over the past three seasons. However, his GS World Cup podium colleagues Loïc Meillard (SUI) and Filip Zubcic (CRO) mean to challenge. Meillard even admits to adding karate to his training sessions to try something new.
The Norwegian squad is packed with talent, both young and experienced. Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) did not enjoy a successful season last year. Still, he is always a man to watch. Lucas Braathen (NOR), who became the youngest winner in Sölden in 2020, returns to the World Cup circuit under the Brazilian flag to the sheer delight of fans. But do not forget the youngsters – Alexander Steen Olsen (23) and Atle Lie McGrath (24), who both enjoyed the thrill of WC podiums despite their young age.
Additionally, Marcel Hirscher’s (AUT) participation remains uncertain, and his racing form is a complete mystery. But if he enters the competition, fans and racers will watch him with excitement and apprehension.
Let us hope that the weather cooperates and that we will enjoy a thrilling competition that opens a new, exciting season!
