A Swiss Triumph in Wengen: Von Allmen Claims Super-G Victory
The Lauberhorn witnessed a stunning upset as Swiss skier Franjo von Allmen secured a remarkable victory in the Super-G, leaving seasoned competitors in his wake. At just 23 years old, von Allmen achieved his maiden World Cup triumph on home soil, showcasing exceptional skill and composure.
Former world champion Vincent Kriechmayr of Austria (+0.10 seconds) and fellow Swiss racer Stefan Rogentin (+0.58) trailed behind von Allmen, securing the second and third positions respectively. overwhelmed with joy, von Allmen expressed his disbelief, stating, “It’s truly incredible, I’m still trying to process it,” in a post-race interview.
The Lauberhorn will host the prestigious downhill classic on Saturday, with live coverage on ARD and Eurosport starting at 12:30 p.m. Linus Straßer,Germany’s hopeful,will be vying for a podium finish in the slalom event scheduled for Sunday.Marco Odermatt, the reigning World Cup champion, will be seeking redemption in the downhill after a disappointing Super-G performance. The Swiss skier, who dominated the circuit last year, finished a surprising seventh, over a second behind von Allmen. Notably, norwegian speedster Fredrik Möller (13th/+1.54) and Swiss Alexis Monney (9th/+1.27), who had previously triumphed in Bormio’s speed events, also failed to make a significant impact.
German Team Faces Challenges in Wengen
The German team, grappling with a depleted roster, faced an uphill battle in Wengen. Romed Baumann and Luis Vogt, the only remaining DSV starters, finished outside the points in 32nd (+2.43) and 40th (+3.23) respectively. Simon Jocher, initially slated to participate, withdrew due to a heel injury sustained in Bormio.
This marks the first time since 2014 that no German speed skier has cracked the top 30 in Wengen. Josef Ferstl, who finished 41st in the downhill that year, was the last German to achieve this feat. With the retirements of Ferstl and Kitzbühel victor thomas Dreßen, coupled with Andreas Sander’s prolonged absence due to illness, the German downhill team faces an uphill battle at the upcoming World Championships.
As the World Cup season intensifies, the spotlight shifts to Kitzbühel next week, where the world’s best skiers will converge for another thrilling showdown.
Von Allmen’s Rise adn Germany’s fall: A Lauberhorn post-Race Analysis wiht Olympic Champion, Klaus Kröll
The majestic Lauberhorn delivered another thrilling chapter in alpine skiing history this weekend. While Franjo von Allmen’s stunning Super-G victory stole the show, the German team’s struggles painted a somber picture. Joining us today to dissect the weekend’s events is none other than Austrian legend and Olympic Champion,Klaus Kröll. Welcome, Klaus.
Klaus Kröll: It’s a pleasure to be here. What a race! Von Allmen’s win was truly special.
Indeed, it was an upset for the ages. Were you surprised to see him take the top spot, Klaus?
Klaus Kröll: Honestly, a little. He’s shown flashes of brilliance before, but to pull off a win on the Lauberhorn at only 23? That’s next-level stuff. You could see the raw talent, but this solidifies his position on the world stage.
His comments afterwards truly reflected his disbelief. Do you think this win will be a springboard for him?
Klaus Kröll: Absolutely. This kind of victory, on home soil, can catapult a skier’s career. It builds confidence, attracts attention, and puts pressure in a positive way. Now, he has to manage expectations, but I see big things for him.
Let’s shift gears and talk about the German team. A tough weekend for them, to put it mildly.No skiers in the top 30 for the first time as 2014. What are your thoughts on their performance?
Klaus Kröll: It’s concerning. The absence of key figures like Ferstl and Dreßen is being felt acutely. add Sander’s prolonged absence, and suddenly, their roster lacks experience at the highest level. It’s a rebuilding phase, but they need to find answers fast.
With the World Championships looming, this lack of form is troubling.What do you see as the biggest challenge for the German team moving forward?
Klaus Kröll: Confidence.
Confidence plays a huge role in this sport. When you see your rivals performing well and you’re struggling to keep up,it can be psychologically damaging. What advice would you give to the German coaching staff in this situation?
Klaus Kröll: Focus on the fundamentals. Drill down to the basics, rebuild technique, and instill a sense of belief. They need small victories, podium finishes in lower-tier events, anything to rebuild momentum. The World Championships might be too soon, but the bigger picture is long-term advancement.
You mention lower-tier events – do you think that’s the right approach for the German skiers? should they be prioritizing participation over results at this stage?
Klaus kröll: That’s a tricky balance. on one hand, gaining experience and building confidence is crucial. on the other hand, you don’t want to lose sight of the ultimate goal: winning. The key is finding the right competitions - those that offer a good mix of challenge and chance for success.
So, what are your predictions for kitzbühel next week? Can von Allmen repeat his heroics? Will the Germans show signs of improvement?
Klaus Kröll: Kitzbühel is a different beast altogether. It’s a demanding course that rewards aggression and experience. Von Allmen will be one to watch, but don’t underestimate the veterans like Odermatt who will be hungry for redemption. As for Germany, it’s too early to predict.Maybe we’ll see some glimpses of their potential, but a dramatic turnaround is unlikely.
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Klaus, thank you for your time and your insightful analysis.
readers, what are your thoughts on this weekend’s races? Do you agree with Klaus’s assessment of the German team? Share your opinions and predictions for Kitzbühel in the comments below!
