Austrian skier Marco Schwarz takes 2nd World Cup win in 7 days with Winter Olympics nearing

LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) — Marco Schwarz has truly arrived back in Alpine skiing’s winners’ circle, less than six weeks before the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

Until last week, the Austrian all-rounder hadn’t won a World Cup race for two years following knee and back injuries.

On Saturday, he won his second race in seven days, taking a super-G for his eighth career triumph and first in a speed event. He also won a giant slalom last Sunday in another Italian resort, Alta Badia.

“I had a really good run and it feels good to be back in the speed discipline, as well, on the top or on the podium,” Schwarz said.

“To be back on the top spot in Alta Badia, that was like a milestone again. Since (placing 13th in a super-G in Val Gardena last week) I have the feeling back that my speed skiing is good again and that I can compete on the highest level," the Austrian added.

Schwarz defeated the Swiss trio of Alexis Monney, Franjo von Allmen and Marco Odermatt, respectively, who all finished between two and three-tenths behind the Austrian.

Schwarz wasn’t among the fastest starters but stayed clean on a slope that was new to the World Cup.

Livigno was a one-time replacement for classic venue Bormio, which will stage the men’s Alpine skiing events of the Olympics in February.

Livigno will host the Olympic snowboard and freestyle skiing events, but the resort near the Swiss border had not hosted a top-level Alpine ski race before.

Overall World Cup leader Odermatt still extended his lead in the super-G standings, as his closest challengers before the race — Austrians Vincent Kriechmayr and Raphael Haaser — both didn’t finish their runs.

Schwarz and Odermatt had an intriguing battle in the overall standings two years ago. The Austrian was leading when he damaged his knee in a downhill crash and had to end his season in late December 2023, as Odermatt went on to clinch the big crystal globe again.

Livigno's Li Zeta course, with a start at 2,375-meter altitude and a maximum gradient of 47 per cent, contained two jumps that caused many racers troubles.

At the first one, halfway down the track, skiers landed on a bumpy surface but needed to regain balance immediately for a sharp right turn. It's where Odermatt lost considerable time on Schwarz.

The second jump, shortly before the finish, cost Kriechmayr a potential victory. The Austrian had the fastest intermediate time but landed too far to the right and then lost his balance as he tried to get back on the race line and skied out of the course.

Also, Frenchman Matthieu Bailet had a podium finish in sight when he skied out after the final jump.

Czech racer Jan Zabystran, the surprise winner of the previous super-G, finished 0.93 off the lead and outside the top 20.

Saturday’s race was the last speed event until a super-G at Wengen, Switzerland, on January 16. The men’s World Cup remains in Italy for a Jan. 7 night slalom in Madonna di Campiglio.

AP skiing: https://apnews.com/hub/alpine-skiing

Austria's Marco Schwarz celebrates on the podium after winning an alpine ski, men's World Cup Super G, in Livigno, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

Switzerland's Marco Odermatt checks his time at the finish area of an alpine ski, men's World Cup Super G, in Livigno, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

Switzerland's Marco Odermatt speeds down the course during an alpine ski, men's World Cup Super G, in Livigno, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)

Switzerland's Alexis Monney celebrates at the finish area of an alpine ski, men's World Cup Super G, in Livigno, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

Austria's Marco Schwarz speeds down the course during an alpine ski, men's World Cup Super G, in Livigno, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)

Austria's Marco Schwarz celebrates at the finish area of an alpine ski, men's World Cup Super G, in Livigno, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

DENVER (AP) — Brandon Marsh hit a three-run homer as part of a seven-run first inning, Aaron Nola pitched efficiently into the seventh and the Philadelphia Phillies spoiled Colorado’s home opener by beating the Rockies 10-1 on Friday.

The Phillies set the tone early by sending 11 batters to the plate against Michael Lorenzen (0-1) to begin the game. They finished with 13 hits, including three homers — all by lefties — with the wind blowing from left field. Marsh hit a sinker that went a projected 454 feet to the second deck in right-center. In the second, Bryce Harper launched a solo shot. Kyle Schwarber added a 460-foot drive to right field in the fifth.

Nola (1-0) scattered five hits and gave up one run over 6 1/3 innings. He struck out nine — the bullpen had six more — as Philadelphia won its eighth straight over Colorado. The latest one marked the Rockies' most lopsided loss in a home opener.

It also was win No. 350 for Phillies manager Rob Thomson, making him the fastest to reach the mark in club history (604 games).

There were 48,366 fans who showed up on a sunny but cool afternoon. The Rockies, a team coming off three straight 100-loss seasons, dropped to 18-16 in home openers, including 17-15 at Coors Field.

It was a rough outing for Lorenzen, who allowed nine runs and 12 hits over three innings. Mickey Moniak had one of Colorado's five hits in his first game of the season. Moniak started on the injured list due to a sprained right ring finger.

The Rockies were coming off a three-game series win in Toronto. They didn't capture their first series last season until early June against Miami.

The Phillies will throw lefty Jesús Luzardo (0-1, 9.00 ERA) on Saturday. The Rockies hadn't announced a scheduled starter, but right-hander Chase Dollander (1-0, 9.00) is expected to get some work.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen calls for a new ball after giving up a three-run home run to Philadelphia Phillies' Brandon Marsh in the first inning of a baseball game Friday, April 3, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

From left to right, Philadelphia Phillies' Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh celebrate as Marsh crosses home plate after hitting a three-run home run off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen in the first inning of a baseball game Friday, April 3, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola works against the Colorado Rockies in the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, April 3, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper, right, congratulates Kyle Schwarber after his solo home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Valente Bellozo in the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, April 3, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Philadelphia Phillies' Brandon Marsh, right, follows the flight of his three-run home run off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen in the first inning of a baseball game Friday, April 3, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)