Swiss star Marco Odermatt wins again in World Cup giant slalom to deny teammate Loïc Meillard

ADELBODEN, Switzerland (AP) — Swiss ski star Marco Odermatt is almost unbeatable in World Cup giant slaloms — and especially at his home classic race.

Odermatt skied at his limit in the second run Sunday to rise from third place and win at Adelboden for the fourth straight year.

It was the 15th straight World Cup giant slalom since February 2023 that Odermatt has won when he completed the race. He skied out in three others.

Victory Sunday again denied his teammate Loïc Meillard, the first-run leader who finished 0.20 seconds back without making any major mistakes.

“Today was very tough, a big fight against Loïc,” said Odermatt, who has had Meillard runner-up three times in his 15-win streak. Meillard won one of the three races Odermatt failed to finish.

Luca De Aliprandini surged from 12th fastest in the morning to place third, trailing 0.69 behind Odermatt.

Only De Aliprandini was faster than Odermatt in the second run, as the Olympic and world champion raced aggressively in fast-fading light and felt his skis clash together approaching the steep final slope.

Both Norwegian contenders, Henrik Kristoffersen and United States-born Atle Lie McGrath, crashed out early in their second runs.

Odermatt’s fourth straight win on the storied Chuenisbaergli hill matched the record of Alpine great Ingemar Stenmark from 1979-82.

Winners at Adelboden traditionally have moulds of their footprints taken which are engraved on a stone memorial in the village main street. The three skiers on the podium also get a large cowbell that they ring together in the post-race ceremony.

The 27-year-old Odermatt extended his leads in the giant slalom and overall World Cup standings in search of a fourth straight crystal trophy in both. He also leads the downhill and super-G standings ahead of races at nearby Wengen next weekend.

The classic giant slalom drew a 15,000 crowd, potentially a Sunday record at Adelboden, to the course that has featured in every season of the 58-year World Cup history.

Sunshine and blue skies in temperatures of -9 Celsius (16 Fahrenheit) replaced the thick fog and snow that shrouded the slalom on Saturday. The schedule was flipped to avoid having the giant slalom cancelled Saturday.

Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, the Norway-born racer for Brazil who was second Saturday, failed to finish his first run Sunday.

Switzerland's Loic Meillard smiles after an alpine ski, men's World Cup giant slalom race, in Adelboden, Switzerland, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Giovanni Zenoni)

Switzerland's Marco Odermatt smiles after an alpine ski, men's World Cup giant slalom race, in Adelboden, Switzerland, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Giovanni Zenoni)

From left, second placed Switzerland's Loic Meillard and the winner Switzerland's Marco Odermatt after an alpine ski, men's World Cup giant slalom race, in Adelboden, Switzerland, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Giovanni Zenoni)

Italy's Luca De Aliprandini reacts after completing an alpine ski, men's World Cup giant slalom race, in Adelboden, Switzerland, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Giovanni Zenoni)

Switzerland's Marco Odermatt reacts after completing an alpine ski, men's World Cup giant slalom race, in Adelboden, Switzerland, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Giovanni Zenoni)

Norway's Henrik Kristoffersen speeds down the course during an alpine ski, men's World Cup giant slalom race, in Adelboden, Switzerland, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Giovanni Zenoni)

Italy's Luca De Aliprandini speeds down the course during an alpine ski, men's World Cup giant slalom race, in Adelboden, Switzerland, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)

Switzerland's Loic Meillard speeds down the course during an alpine ski, men's World Cup giant slalom race, in Adelboden, Switzerland, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Giovanni Zenoni)

Austria's Marco Schwarz speeds down the course during an alpine ski, men's World Cup giant slalom race, in Adelboden, Switzerland, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Giovanni Zenoni)

DALLAS (AP) — Tyrese Maxey had 34 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds, Joel Embiid scored 22 points and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Dallas Mavericks 123-108 on Thursday night.

Rookie guard VJ Edgecombe, the one-and-done player from Baylor playing 100 miles from his college campus for the first time, scored 23 points two nights after hitting a 3-pointer in the final seconds of a 139-136 overtime victory at Memphis.

Oft-injured Anthony Davis returned for Dallas after missing two games with a sore adductor muscle. The 10-time All-Star finished with 13 points and eight rebounds as the Mavs matched their season worst with a fourth consecutive loss.

Rookie No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg scored 12 points for the Mavericks, who were led by Max Christie's 18 points.

Former Maverick Quentin Grimes, part of a different trade last season soon after the infamous swap of Luka Doncic for Davis between Dallas and the Los Angeles Lakers, had 19 points, seven rebounds and three blocks.

The 76ers were up six when Grimes had a steal and dunk to trigger his 11-point fourth quarter, when he made all three of his 3-point attempts and had one of his blocks.

Paul George scored 14 points, starting and ending a 17-2 run that gave Philadelphia a 44-37 lead in the second quarter.

The Mavericks shot 65% in the first, taking a 33-27 lead before shooting 38% the rest of the way. Davis and Flagg combined to go 11 of 28 from the field.

Maxey was 14 of 24 with a mix of long-range shooting and deft driving in another strong road performance against his hometown team. Edgecombe finished 9 of 14 as the Sixers shot 53%.

76ers: At the New York Knicks on Saturday to finish a five-game trip.

Mavericks: Host the Houston Rockets on Saturday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond, left, is guarded by Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg dunks on the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) tries to steal the ball from Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Philadelphia 76ers guard Vj Edgecombe (77) shoots the ball against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)