Swiss Skier Franjo von Allmen Claims Downhill Gold at World Championships

SAALBACH-HINTERGLEMM, Austria (AP) — Swiss skier Franjo von Allmen made headlines on Sunday, clinching gold in the men’s downhill at the world championships, a remarkable feat that positions him as the sport’s rising star.

In a thrilling race that captivated a crowd of 22,500, the 23-year-old skier outperformed Austrian favorite Vincent Kriechmayr, finishing 0.24 seconds ahead. Kriechmayr, who had the crowd cheering with chants of “Sweet Caroline,” was relegated to silver, while Swiss racer Alexis Monney took bronze with a time 0.31 seconds slower than von Allmen’s.

Von Allmen’s impressive run saw him trail at the penultimate checkpoint on the Schneekristall course but he rebounded with a fierce acceleration, leaping 52.5 yards off the final jump. “It’s crazy,” he exclaimed post-race, celebrating with his fellow Swiss fans who rallied with chants of “Hopp Suisse.”

Marco Odermatt, the established star of the Swiss ski team and gold medalist in the super-G just two days prior, praised von Allmen’s talent. “He can win every race,” Odermatt said, reaffirming the strength of Swiss skiing.

This victory is part of a significant season for the Swiss team, having dominated the World Cup circuit with top performances. Such success at the championships was foreshadowed, with von Allmen previously finishing runner-up three times in World Cup downhills this season.

Despite his triumph, von Allmen’s journey has not been without obstacles. His skiing career nearly ended at age 17 after the death of his father and financial struggles. A crowd-funding initiative raised 16,000 Swiss francs ($17,600), which allowed him to pursue his dream of competitive skiing. Today, he balances his professional commitments with work as a carpenter in his home valley of Simmental during the offseason.

“It’s important to bring something different in my head,” von Allmen remarked, highlighting his multifaceted life beyond skiing.

For his teammates, von Allmen is known for his intense commitment to the sport. “He goes always 100%. Sometimes that’s a little bit crazy. He doesn’t brake,” said teammate Stefan Rogentin, illustrating von Allmen’s full-throttle approach to the slopes.

However, sharing accommodation can be a challenge due to von Allmen’s loud snoring. Rogentin humorously noted that while they enjoy skiing with him, they would prefer not to share a room. For the world championships, he is rooming with Monney, but both expect a lively atmosphere as von Allmen anticipates “a big party tonight.”

The event also marked a disappointment for American skier Ryan Cochran-Siegle, who had a standout lead in training sessions but finished in 13th place. “I just didn’t execute,” said Cochran-Siegle, whose performance did not meet expectations after Breezy Johnson’s recent win in the women’s downhill.

With the Milan-Cortina Olympics on the horizon, the Swiss team is poised as early favorites, especially with both Monney and von Allmen’s standout performances in recent races. Cochran-Siegle acknowledged the Swiss dominance, stating, “They are the team to beat right now, and we’re just all trying to play catch-up.”