Record Check Sölden GS: Odermatt can overtake an ÖSV legend

A victory in Sölden, and the five-time overall World Cup winner will pass an ÖSV legend: These records are possible on Sunday. Facts for Sölden GS:

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On Sunday at 10:00 AM, the men in Sölden will kick off the 2026/27 World Cup season with the giant slalom. Last year, Marco Odermatt (SUI) won ahead of Marco Schwarz (AUT) and Atle Lie McGrath (NOR).

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The most important facts for the season opener:

Waiting for the first ÖSV victory since Hirscher

The last Austrian men's victory in Sölden was claimed by Marcel Hirscher (NED) in the 2014/15 season, back then still for Austria. Last year, Schwarz was the first ÖSV skier on the podium since Roland Leitinger (AUT) in 2021/22. Jakob Eisner (AUT) will make his World Cup debut on the Rettenbach glacier.

Odermatt can leave Hermann Maier behind

Odermatt will make his 200th World Cup start in Sölden. With 54 victories, he shares third place on the men's all-time winners list with Hermann Maier (AUT). With victory number 55, he would be outright third, behind Ingemar Stenmark (SWE, 86) and Hirscher (67).

All-time rankings>>>

Ligety's Sölden record within reach

Ted Ligety (USA) is the record winner in the men's giant slalom in Sölden with four victories. After his victories in 2021, 2022, and 2025, Odermatt can equal this with a fourth success. Even a podium finish would be his 47th in giant slalom; no Swiss woman or man has achieved that many, with Michael von Grünigen and Vreni Schneider (both SUI) each having 46.

Hattrick for the Globe winner?

Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA) won the giant slalom globe last season, the first Crystal Globe for Brazil. He won the last two giant slaloms in Lillehammer and Kranjska Gora. With a victory in Sölden, he would be only the second active racer after Odermatt with three consecutive giant slalom victories.

Comeback of the 2024 Sölden winner

Alexander Steen Olsen (NOR) returns to the World Cup in Sölden. He missed the entire 2025/26 season due to a knee injury; he claimed his first giant slalom victory on the Rettenbach glacier in 2024. Gino Caviezel (SUI) is also reportedly fully fit to start again after his injury in Bormio 2024, according to FIS.

Italy needs one victory for 200

Italy stands at 199 men's World Cup victories. A victory in Sölden would make Italy the fourth nation with 200 successes, after Austria (560), Switzerland (363), and Norway (213). In giant slalom, however, the Italians have been waiting for a victory for 122 races; Massimiliano Blardone (ITA) last won in 2011/12 in Crans Montana.

Kristoffersen with new equipment

Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) will compete in his 116th World Cup giant slalom, thus equaling Didier Défago (SUI) in sixth place on the men's all-time rankings. The record holder is Benjamin Raich (AUT) with 134 starts. The equipment is new: Kristoffersen will be racing on Head instead of Van Deer this season.