The thrill of the hunt
You could say Marco Odermatt was born to ski. Hailing from the Nidwalden region of the Swiss Alps––an area steeped in ski culture and history––he grew up in a family of skiers.
He was first put on skis at the age of two by his dad, who also coached ski racing at the local ski club and, to this day, keeps a detailed log of Marco's days on the hill.
It's no surprise that Marco has been a dedicated student of the skiing craft. He spent his childhood closely tracking the career of his Swiss idol Didier Cuche, road-tripping to watch World Cups around Switzerland, and putting in the work over the years to climb the ranks from devoted fan to competitor to World Champion.
Sure, the strong foundation was there. But to say that he was born to be a world-class skier is to miss the magic of Marco
Photo: Erich Spiess / Red Bull Content Pool Photo: Samo Vidic / Red Bull Content Pool
What makes Marco's skiing so thrilling––so gripping that you can't look away or help but smile when he flies down the track––is the fighting spirit he brings—skiing pulses through his veins.
He skis on the edge, putting it all on the line. He's fierce, agile and technically strong, with cat-like reflexes – known to course-correct mid-air to adjust his line. He seems to spend half of his run floating, and when he's not air-born, he tears down the mountain with the sharpest point of his razor edges as the only thing keeping him connected to the earth.
Photo: Erich Spiess / Red Bull Content Pool Photo: Samo Vidic / Red Bull Content Pool
And despite his extraordinary success, triumphs and trophies, he manages to always attack each race with the intensity and aggression of an underdog. Because the laws of nature drive Marco, not the false assurances from his past successes.
It's the physics of every unique slope, the chemistry of the snow that day, the mindset of his competitors. Always smiling, with a laser-like focus, four turns ahead as he stalks his prey: time.
The results speak for themselves. Marco has earned over 70 World Cup podiums and nine Crystal Globes. He has won the World Cup Overall three seasons in a row, dominating in the Giant Slalom, Super G, and Downhill World Cup during the latest season. In 2023, he broke the men's record for most points collected in a World Cup season, a record that still stands today. Marco is currently writing his part in alpine ski racing history.
No. Marco wasn't just born to ski. Marco is skiing.
Photos: Erich Spiess & Samo Vidic / Red Bull Content Pool
