Friends of Marco Odermatt say: this is how the skier ticks in private

Fabian Bösch (26) has been friends with Marco Odermatt since his youth. The two met on the ski slopes. They raced against each other, sometimes one won, sometimes the other. The Odermatt and Bösch families became friends during the races and spent a lot of time together off the slopes. “We went for a walk and had a barbecue,” says Bösch. They were very active. “The coaches weren’t always happy with us,” he remembers. “We often skied or made jumps in the deep snow in the forest.” Bösch apparently enjoyed it so much that he switched to freestyle at the age of 13 and is now a two-time world champion and winner of the X Games. Buddy Odermatt, on the other hand, stayed true to ski racing and is currently the best of them all: six-time world junior champion, two-time world champion, Olympic champion, three-time overall World Cup winner, winner of multiple disciplines and record holder.

Marco Odermatt has also known his shared flat partner Gabriel Gwerder (27) since his youth. “We met at the final of the Migros Grand Prix in 2006,” he says. Odermatt won, Gwerder came second. Through skiing, the two saw each other regularly and their friendship grew. “We always did a lot of sports together, and later we also went out and on holiday together.” But the focus was always on sports. The Schwyz resident was also one of the great Swiss ski enthusiasts – until he had to end his career at the age of 17 due to a serious injury. Today he works as an athletics trainer for the Swiss-Ski speed group.

When asked about youth jokes, Gwerder says: “During a training session on the glacier in Saas-Fee we had an argument with French people, which escalated. It started on the train and continued while waiting at the drag lift and on the slopes.” That day they had chases like in the movies. “But because we were the better skiers, this story did not end well for our opponents,” he explains. Or after a race they would jump around on a bed until it broke. “And then we threw it out the window.”

Also a “dream son”

When asked what Marco Odermatt is like as a person, Fabian Bösch answers: “We don’t see each other as often as we used to because we both travel a lot for training and competitions. But when we see each other we always have a lot of fun.” Then it is not about success, but about doing something together. Gabriel Gwerder adds: “Marco is very efficient and structured, yet accessible. He is still very open and uncomplicated and likes to have fun.” But Marco is also ‘ultra ambitious’ when it comes to something. «He is very success-oriented. I am convinced that he would also be successful if he had not become a skier.” Odermatt has not changed as a person and friend as a result of his success. “But he had to learn to deal with the obligations and expectations and set boundaries,” Gwerder summarizes together.

More about Marco Odermatt

Dramatic moments

Odermatt has two women in particular to thank

Now he’s hot on his heels

Odermatt fell asleep during the first meeting with Zurbriggen

Odermatt and Gut-Behrami

That’s how much prize money there is for their fantastic seasons

The two men have been living together in a shared apartment for four years. Living together works very well. “We’re just honest with each other. There are no taboos, everything is covered.” Moreover, they are both neat and have similar ideas about living together. The structure of ‘Odi’ also applies to the household – even while cooking. “When he does something, he does it well.” It’s rare that they spend a men’s evening together. «Marco is not often home. And if so, his girlfriend would like to see him too.” The skier has been together with Stella Parpan (25) for about four years.

Marco Odermatt is not only the best skier of the moment, but also a good homemaker. “He is a dream son-in-law,” says Gwerder, laughing. But is there something his buddy isn’t good at? “Yeah, he’s not that talented with his hands.”

He was a good student

The skier attended the sports secondary school in Engelberg OW for five years. In 2017, he graduated from high school with a business degree. Managing director Eskil Läubli recalls: “Marco was a great team player and not a loner; his colleagues and classmates were always very important to him.” The man from Nidwalden was a very good student who managed to use his time, which was limited due to competitive sports, efficiently and effectively. “And this applies to all subjects,” Läubli adds.

He also experienced Odermatt as structured and someone who knew what needed to be done. «In sports, he thought carefully about how he could achieve something efficiently. What struck him: the alternation between break and work. A very relaxed and playful man, but an extremely focused athlete during practice,” Läubli continued. Odermatt stood out at a young age, both in terms of fitness and skiing, and always had good conditions. “Unlike other talented athletes, he always thought carefully, could analyze very quickly and draw the necessary conclusions,” says the manager, praising the former student.

They knew he could make it to Swiss-Ski. “A career like the one he has now is very special. We are always amazed by his achievements.” Läubli is happy that the skier still visits the school occasionally. “He still stands out for his positive qualities: a friendly and interested person.”