The China Mail - Schwarz records maiden super-G success, Odermatt fourth

Overall World Cup leader Marco Odermatt failed to make the podium, but the Swiss star's fourth-placed finish allowed him to extend his lead in the super-G standings to 275 points -- 66 ahead of Vincent Kriechmayr.

His principal rival Kriechmayr failed to finish, the Austrian skiing out at the bottom of the course.

Austrian honour, though, was saved by Schwarz, who edged out Swiss pair Alexis Monney (0.20sec) and Franjo von Allmen (0.25).

The 30-year-old, whose best super-G performance this term prior to Saturday was 13th in Alta Badia last weekend, sits second in the overall standings on 451 points, 404 behind Odermatt.

Schwarz carved out his victory with an excellent middle of the race -- the same part where Odermatt made a mistake that cost him any chance of winning.

"It's been a while," said Schwarz, whose only previous podium finish in the discipline was second in the World Cup finals in Soldeu, Andorra, in March, 2023.

"Today I did a good job, I think I made a good run.

"On this kind of snow, you have to ski super clean."

Livigno hosted this leg of the World Cup which is traditionally held in fellow Italian resort Bormio.

However, Bormio is preparing to host the men's alpine ski events for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics in February.

Livigno for its part is hosting the snowboard and acrobatic ski competitions.

A.Zhang--ThChM