Downhill crystal ball

Lightning comeback? Kitzbühel winner chases Odermatt

Cyprien Sarrazin will probably return this season after all(Bild: AFP or licensors)

Cyprien Sarrazin is probably ready to challenge Marco Odermatt for the small crystal globe in the last downhill race of the season on March 24. After his crash in Kvitfjell, everything pointed to a premature end to the season. 

It actually seemed that Odermatt's fate was already in the bag. After Sarrazin's crash in Kvitfjell, the Swiss skier's last rival for the discipline ranking seemed to be out of the race. But the Frenchman has been working meticulously on his surprise comeback ever since.

The rehab of the 29-year-old Kitzbühel winner after his calf injury has gone better than hoped. Both the athlete himself and the French federation are still keeping a low profile. However, as "Blick" now reports, those close to the Frenchman are optimistic that he will be able to compete in Saalbach.

Odermatt remains vigilant
"Cyprien has never trained on snow since Kvitfjell and will not be joining his teammates at the speed camp in Zinal next week. Coach Fournier nevertheless speaks of a positive healing process," says Patrice Morisod, former downhill coach of the French team and still very well connected within the team. According to him, the chances of a start on March 24 are "very good".

Odermatt wants the downhill globe(Bild: AFP or licensors)

This news is causing unease for the great triumphant in the ski circus. Odermatt attaches particular importance to the downhill globe: "The downhill is the supreme alpine discipline. And because the downhill races in the World Cup calendar are so varied, it is also the most difficult discipline to win. That's why this globe would be particularly important to me. 

Sarrazin is 41 points behind Odermatt ahead of the final downhill race in Saalbach and is almost doomed to win after his lightning comeback.