A Bormio descent with a big surprise

These Swiss are crazy. In the downhill race in Bormio, two youngsters left everyone else looking old. The winner in particular was a huge surprise.

28 December 2024

From: det

Bormio – this is perhaps the most difficult descent in the world, which claimed a prominent victim this year in the form of Cyprien Sarrazin. Here, you would think, routine, experience and expertise count more than anywhere else. But then two young Swiss come along and turn everything on its head. The victory on Saturday was sensationally snatched by 24-year-old Alexis Monney, ahead of his 23-year-old compatriot Franjo von Allmen - a completely surprising double victory for the Swiss.

While von Allmen has been on your radar since the Val Gardena downhill at the latest (he came second there), Alexis Monney's victory is a mega sensation. The 2020 Junior World Downhill Champion has never been on the podium in the World Cup, not even close to it. A year ago in Kitzbühel, Monney finished eighth, his best career result to date. And now he has achieved the race of his life in Bormio.

Monney drove sensationally to victory. © APA/afp / FABRICE COFFRINI

Monney went onto the Stelvio slope with starting number 19, and the top group had already reached the finish. But all the big stars had been unable to beat the young Franjo von Allmen, who had managed a magical run with number 3, especially in the lower part. No Marco Odermatt, no Dominik Paris, no Vincent Kriechmayr or no Justin Murisier came anywhere close to the rising star. Until, yes, until Alexis Monney hit the slopes.

Two friends at the top: winner Alexis Monney (right) and Franjo von Allmen. © APA/afp / FABRICE COFFRINI

The young Swiss raced down the icy and bumpy Stelvio with a lot of risk, high speed and a pinch of youthful carefreeness, hit every key point perfectly and finally crossed the finish line with a lead of 24 hundredths of a second. There, his colleagues - especially fifth-placed Marco Odermatt - were completely beside themselves and celebrated the sensational man.

Paris' black day, Innerhofer best South Tyrolean

One man's joy is another man's sorrow: With his dream ride, Monney pushed the Italian Mattia Casse off the podium. Until then, the Azzurro was in third place. This means that the Canadian Cameron Alexander completes the podium in third place.

Dominik Paris experienced a race to forget. © APA/afp / FABRICE COFFRINI

For Dominik Paris, the race ended in bitter disappointment. The Ultner never got going in his run, barely built up any speed, didn't ride cleanly and ended up in 31st place, almost three seconds behind. For the King of Bormio, who has already won seven races on the Stelvio, this is a slap in the face.

Florian Schieder also had to struggle on the Stelvio, finishing one place behind Paris and also missing out on the points. Christof Innerhofer made a statement: the 40-year-old rode courageously to 18th place and was thus the best South Tyrolean. For the Gaiser, it is the best result of the season.

There is another Super-G in Bormio on Sunday. It starts at 11.30 am, with the SportNews-As always, you won't miss anything with the live ticker.