Courchevel (France) (AFP) - Swiss skier Marco Odermatt bounced back from his disappointment at the Milan-Cortina Olympics to seal his fifth successive overall World Cup title with a third-placed finish in the downhill won by Austria’s Vincent Kriechmayr on Friday.

Odermatt picked up 60 points for his podium finish to take an unassailable 632-point lead over Brazilian Lucas Pinheiro Braathen with only six races left in the season.

Odermatt becomes just the third person in alpine ski history to win five overall titles in a row, after Austrians Marcel Hirscher (eight times between 2012 and 2019) and Annemarie Moser-Proll (five times between 1971 and 1975).

The 28-year-old, who won two Olympic silvers and bronze in Bormio last month, also claimed the World Cup downhill title with his third-placed finish in the French resort.

Italy’s Giovanni Franzoni came in 0.09sec behind Kriechmayr.

“It was a very difficult, very tough race. I don’t think I’ve ever been that tired at the finish. Tough conditions,” said Odermatt.

He said he was “very happy with my race, with another consistent race, for the globe as well. Perfect day”.

“For me, the downhill globe became probably the most important thing in my career now.

“To win this the third time in a row and also with a big gap, I guess this makes it even more special to be so consistent in every race, every condition.”

Odermatt added: “Having the will to fight for the top spots every weekend, every race, this makes me a little bit proud.”

Odermatt’s teammate Franjo von Allmen, who failed to finish the Eclipse course in Courchevel, finished second in the downhill standings, 235pts off the pace.

Last month, Von Allmen became the first male skier since Toni Sailer (1956) and Jean-Claude Killy (1968) to win three golds at a single Winter Games when he powered to victories in the downhill and super-G in Bormio, also combining with Tanguy Nef to win the team combined.

Race winner Kriechmayr was left satisfied with his day’s racing.

“It is a fantastic race, skiing between the gates is nice, it is a fantastic place, I like the downhill, and I am very happy with my skiing today,” the Austrian said.

“The direct line worked pretty good. I was also lucky with the hundredths on my side today.”

Kriechmayr refused to get drawn on his outside chances of the super-G title.

“I’m not thinking about a globe, I’m too many points behind Marco,” he said. “He was fantastic this year and I just try to show my best skiing and we’ll see what happens.”