World champion Franjo von Allmen showcased his prowess at the latest men’s World Cup downhill event before the Olympics, securing a second victory for Switzerland at the troubled ski resort Crans-Montana. With the Olympic competition looming just six days away, von Allmen clinched his second downhill win of the season and fourth overall, besting Italian veteran Dominik Paris by 0.65 seconds with a time of one minute and 55 seconds.
Expressing his satisfaction with the slope, von Allmen emphasized its challenging nature despite its skiable ease. He expressed confidence in his performance and intentions to exhibit his top-tier skiing in Bormio. The upcoming alpine skiing events at the Milan-Cortina Winter Games will kick off with the men’s downhill event on Saturday on the renowned Stelvio course, a track where 36-year-old Paris has claimed a record six downhill victories between 2012 and 2021.
The race saw Ryan Cochran-Siegle of the United States finishing third, trailing by 0.70 seconds behind the leader, securing his second podium of the Olympic season. Cochran-Siegle spoke of his enjoyment on the sunny day, highlighting the rarity of such ideal conditions for a race. His smooth skiing allowed him to maintain speed, leading to a pleasant surprise at his competitive position upon reaching the finish line.
While the top 10 placements were dominated by Swiss and Italian skiers, Canadian athlete Cameron Alexander from North Vancouver secured the 11th spot, trailing by 1.23 seconds. Alexander’s performance marked a notable achievement within the competitive field. Notably, several Austrian contenders, including Vincent Kriechmayr, opted out of the race to focus on Olympic preparations, with downhill training set to commence shortly.
The race witnessed a dramatic moment when Chilean racer Henrik von Appen, starting with bib 47, suffered a crash, necessitating an airlift off the course. The event marked von Allmen’s consecutive victory at the Crans-Montana World Cup downhill, with the ski resort slated to host the 2027 world championships, where von Allmen will defend his title.
The weekend of racing in Crans-Montana commenced with a tumultuous start, as adverse weather conditions led to the cancellation of the women’s downhill race. The tragic incident at a bar in the area on New Year’s Day cast a somber tone over the events, prompting the cancellation of customary festivities and a display of solidarity with the affected community.
Viewers can watch the full replay of Sunday’s race from Switzerland to witness the thrilling competition unfold on the slopes of Crans-Montana.