After winning the World Championship title, Franjo von Allmen also takes his long overdue first downhill victory in the World Cup. His success in Crans-Montana is also an announcement in the battle for the small crystal globe.
22.02.2025, 14:00
22.02.2025, 14:13
SDA
Apart from the squat, Franjo von Allmen's most frequent movement at the moment is probably shaking his head. The man from the Bernese Oberland is barely keeping up with his rapid development this season. The fact that the 23-year-old is only competing in his second World Cup season is sometimes almost lost in the hustle and bustle surrounding him. That's how confidently Von Allmen has presented himself in recent weeks.
He himself always tried to keep his head down. Before Wengen, after two 2nd places, he said it would be "cheeky" to expect the next podium places straight away - let alone a victory. Now, a good five weeks later, he is a two-time World Champion and two-time World Cup winner. This is often difficult for him to grasp. "To come here from Saalbach as world champion and win the first downhill in front of a Swiss audience: It doesn't really get any better than that," said Von Allmen at the finish, shaking his head again briefly. Who would have thought that after finishing 28th, 33rd and 23rd at the start of the season?
"Not much to think about"
In Val Gardena/Gröden and Wengen he had to give way to Marco Odermatt, in Bormio to Alexis Monney. After three second places, it was now Von Allmen's turn: both at the World Championships and at his home race in Valais, he left his two team rivals behind. It is difficult to say what the recipe for success is, said Von Allmen. "When it works, it works. You can't think too much about the whys and wherefores, just take the good feeling with you."
One factor is obvious: the material is perfectly matched to Von Allmen. A big compliment therefore once again went to his service man Sepp Kuppelwieser, who has already looked after riders such as Beat Feuz and Peter Fill. "His calm manner and his experience are particularly valuable to me," said the skier with the Head ski brand. "I know that I can always count on him if I need advice."
73 points behind Odermatt
Winning the World Championship title first and then taking the first downhill victory in the World Cup: That's what Odermatt did too. However, the 27-year-old from Nidwalden had to wait longer for this triumph. After his numerous victories in the giant slalom and super-G, he only celebrated his first World Cup victory in the downhill in January of last year. That season, he also won the small globe in the supreme discipline.
Odermatt is now leading the rankings again, but Von Allmen is hot on his heels. 73 points separate the two, while third-placed Monney is 112 points behind Von Allmen. Before the season finale in Sun Valley, there are two more downhill races in Kvitfjell. Von Allmen celebrated his best downhill result there last winter with 5th place. This course also suits him. But now you have to ask: which one doesn't?
Odermatt praises Von Allmen
However, Von Allmen had already said before the race in Crans-Montana that he didn't want to think about winning the globe just yet. It would almost be an insult to his majesty to make a challenge to Odermatt. Instead of words, Von Allmen convinces with deeds.
Odermatt has long known that a strong competitor is breathing down his neck anyway. "Franjo has the best basic speed of all of us at the moment. And if he gets his run down without mistakes, he's hard to beat," said Odermatt, praising his team-mate. The three-time overall World Cup winner is correspondingly relaxed about the upcoming battle for the small globe. "I've achieved my big goal of winning the downhill globe once. If Franjo manages it this time, that would be nice too."
