Giovanni Franzoni surprised the skiing world. © APA / GABRIELE FACCIOTTI/AGENCE ZOOM

After a tough time: Italy's ski jewel gives you goosebumps

The Super-G in Beaver Creek had many surprises in store. One of them was the young Italian Giovanni Franzoni, who was completely detached after the race.

08 December 2024

From: det

Giovanni Franzoni has been a household name in Italy's skiing scene for years, as he is considered one of the country's greatest talents. Since Saturday, the big, wide skiing world has known who this young man from Lake Garda is. In the Super-G in Beaver Creek, Franzoni, with starting number 39, conjured up a fabulous run in the snow and sensationally finished in 4th place. The Azzurro, who had never finished better than 22nd in the World Cup before, missed the podium by a whisker.

It was Franzoni's first great moment on the big ski stage. And a great moment that shows that the 23-year-old has a great future ahead of him. People in Italy have been convinced of this for years. Franzoni has won the gold medal three times at the Junior World Championships and has also been on the podium ten times in the European Cup - the second highest racing series. But recently the Italian, who comes from a small village on Lake Garda, has not had an easy time.

Giovanni Franzoni showed off his skills. © APA / CHRISTIAN PETERSEN

In January 2023, Franzoni suffered a serious thigh injury during the Wengen downhill, which ended his season. Last winter, the talent barely got going, but now he made a big splash. "Two years ago I was close to a result like that, but then came the injury and a year in which nothing went right," Franzoni told the Italian Winter Sports Federation.

“The past year has tricked me.” John Franzoni

The Italian's emotional words give you goosebumps. "I've been working like a madman for two years, so I want to say to everyone who's going through a difficult time: 'Work hard and believe in yourself!'" The 23-year-old adds: "Today I said to myself: 'You can do it, you can do it!' I drove down and wanted to get on the podium. I've never felt like I did today."

When you hear these words, you can tell that Franzoni was a little overwhelmed by his own performance. "It's like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Last year was a disaster for me, but now I have a clear head and have matured. Now I believe in it." If that isn't a fiery appeal for the upcoming races.