Marco Odermatt of Switzerland enters Saturday's men's giant slalom in Bormio as the clear favorite at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. After earning silver in the team combined and bronze in the super-G, the World Cup leader seeks to add gold to his medal collection in his strongest discipline. Competitors including teammate Loic Meillard and Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen aim to challenge Odermatt's dominance.
The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games reach a pivotal stage with the men's giant slalom set for Saturday in Bormio, following a day of rest after earlier speed events. Marco Odermatt (SUI/Stoeckli), the reigning Olympic champion from Beijing 2022, has dominated the discipline this season with victories in Solden, Beaver Creek, and Adelboden. Despite high expectations, Odermatt expressed mixed feelings after his recent results, stating, "I'm satisfied, but not overjoyed. I missed my clear goal of winning gold."
Switzerland's alpine director Hans Flatscher praised Odermatt's ambition, noting, "If he wasn't so ambitious, he wouldn't have won so much. The greats work like that." Teammate Loic Meillard (SUI/Rossignol), who shared the combined silver podium with Odermatt, added motivation, recalling their post-podium exchange: "We said on the podium that we would be back on Saturday, standing together again. That's the goal and I think we're both motivated to do it."
The field features strong contenders beyond Switzerland. Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA/Atomic), competing for Brazil after switching from Norway, seeks the country's first Winter Olympic medal. Second in the World Cup standings with three recent runner-up finishes, Braathen said, "With Norway, I carried tradition. With Brazil, I carry possibility." Other threats include Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR/Voelkl), the 2018 silver medallist; Marco Schwarz (AUT/Atomic); Stefan Brennsteiner (AUT/Fischer); and Atle Lie McGrath (NOR/Head).
Meanwhile, 24-year-old Franjo von Allmen has overshadowed the team with a historic treble in downhill, super-G, and combined, becoming only the third man to win three golds in three races at one Games. Flatscher highlighted von Allmen's grounded nature amid the success. The Bormio course, known for speed events like the Stelvio, will test all-round skills in this two-run giant slalom, with multiple athletes believing they can contend.
