Switzerland celebrated a stunning double victory at the Bormio World Cup downhill event, with Alexis Monney securing his first win and Franjo von Allmen finishing second, just 24 hundredths behind. Canadian Alexander Cameron took third place. Overall leader Marco Odermatt faced challenges, finishing fifth after a mid-race mishap. German skiers experienced mixed results, with Romed Baumann struggling, while Simon Jocher and young talent Luis Vogt performed commendably. The weekend also saw serious incidents during training, highlighting the sport’s dangers.
Stunning Double Win for Switzerland at Bormio Downhill
In a thrilling display of skiing prowess, Switzerland achieved a remarkable double victory at the World Cup downhill event held in Bormio. Swiss athlete Alexis Monney stunned spectators by clinching his first-ever World Cup win on the challenging Stelvio course, edging out his fellow countryman Franjo von Allmen, who had been a strong contender for the top spot.
Monney Claims Victory and Shatters Expectations
Monney’s victory, timed at 1:53.43 minutes, marked a significant milestone in his career, surpassing his previous best results where he had only managed to finish in the top ten twice. Franjo von Allmen, who had hoped for a breakthrough win, finished just 24 hundredths of a second behind in second place. Reflecting on the race, the 23-year-old von Allmen graciously expressed his admiration for Monney’s success during a ZDF interview, stating, “I could not have dreamed of this, and I wholeheartedly wish it to Alexis.”
The podium was rounded out by Canadian Alexander Cameron, who secured third place with a time that was 0.72 seconds off the pace. This marked Cameron’s first podium finish of the winter season, following an impressive showing in training the day before.
Challenges for Leading Skier Marco Odermatt
Marco Odermatt, the overall World Cup leader, started strong but faced a setback midway through the course. An unexpected misstep caused him to lose balance, triggering the deployment of his airbag. Fortunately, he managed to avert a fall, yet the incident cost him precious seconds, leaving him to finish in fifth place, 0.56 seconds behind the victor. “It’s amazing what time he managed to achieve with the airbag deployed,” praised von Allmen, acknowledging the difficulties faced by his competitor.
Despite the challenges, Odermatt remained positive about the safety measures in place, stating, “In such a mistake, it’s very good that the airbag goes off.” He added that while skiing with an activated airbag isn’t ideal, he was relieved to have made it down safely.
Mixed Fortunes for German Skiers
German skier Romed Baumann had a disappointing outing, finishing in 43rd place with a deficit of 3.67 seconds, failing to replicate his previous success from Gröden. In contrast, his teammate Simon Jocher made a commendable appearance, securing 13th place with a time just 1.62 seconds behind the leader. Young talent Luis Vogt also demonstrated his potential by finishing 21st.
The weekend’s events were marred by a serious incident involving Cyprien Sarrazin, who suffered a brain hemorrhage during training. Additionally, Ryan Cochran-Siegle experienced a dramatic fall but thankfully escaped with only minor injuries, managing to leave the scene on skis.
As the ski season continues, fans can look forward to upcoming events, including the Giant Slalom for women in Semmering and the men’s slalom in Alta Badia. Stay tuned for more exhilarating competitions!