The formidable Swiss ski workforce continued its dominance on Saturday, December 28, 2024, with Alexis Monney, a 24-year-old rising star, claiming his first World Cup victory and, actually, his first-ever podium on the treacherous Stelvio piste in Bormio. In a rare show of precision and poise, Monney edged out compatriot Franjo Von Allmen by 0.24 seconds, with Canada’s Cameron Alexander rounding out the rostrum in third.
It was a banner day for Switzerland, as their skiers occupied three of the highest 5 spots, additional cementing their stranglehold on the Downhill standings. Reigning general champion Marco Odermatt, extensively considered the best male skier of his era, completed fifth after a near-catastrophic mid-course restoration that drew gasps from the gang.
“It is a loopy day,” Monney stated after the race. “I can’t discover the phrases, however it’s wonderful and I’m completely happy. Will probably be probably the greatest reminiscences of my life.” He credited Odermatt as an inspirational teammate, saying, “He is a good man, wonderful, at all times pushing us to be higher.”
The Stelvio piste, famend for its unforgiving terrain and relentless bumps, as soon as once more proved a stern take a look at. Von Allmen appeared poised to safe his first World Cup win after an aggressive early run; nevertheless, Monney, in bib 19, delivered a flawless efficiency and snatched the lead from his teammate by 0.24 seconds. 23-year-old von Allmen has been having a robust World Cup season this 12 months, claiming his second profession World Cup podium earlier this 12 months when he positioned second in Val Gardena/Gröden, Italy. “That is solely my second World Cup season,” Von Allmen stated. “I want to remain grounded and centered on my targets for each race.”
It was a harder outing for different prime names. Italy’s Dominik Paris, a six-time winner on the Stelvio, struggled with errors to complete properly off the tempo. Austria’s Vincent Kriechmayr battled the unforgiving bumps, and American Ryan Cochran-Siegle suffered a daunting crash however fortunately walked away unhurt. It might be truthful to say that many skiers have been nonetheless shaken from Cyprien Sarrazin’s crash throughout coaching yesterday, Friday 27, throughout which the French athlete suffered a subdural hematoma. Sarrazin is at the moment in ICU however is alleged to be steady following an emergency operation in Italy.
For the USA, the day was marked by disappointment. With Cochran-Siegle recording a DNF, Sam Morse completed as the highest U.S. skier in thirty fourth, tied with Canada’s Jeffrey Learn—each simply exterior the highest 30 and thus ineligible for FIS factors. Bryce Bennett, Jared Goldberg, and Kyle Negomir adopted in thirty seventh, thirty eighth, and thirty ninth place, respectively, underlining a tricky outing for the Individuals.
Cameron Alexander, in the meantime, delivered a standout efficiency for Canada. His third-place end marked his second podium on the Stelvio in as a few years, a testomony to his aggressive method on the demanding course. “I don’t assume there’s a lot of a secret,” Alexander stated. “It’s nearly making an attempt to be over my skis. You don’t really feel good essentially anyplace on the course, however in the event you maintain letting the skis go, you find yourself being fairly quick.”
The races at Bormio proceed tomorrow with a Tremendous-G race earlier than the pace males have a well-deserved break. Within the New 12 months, the boys’s pace circuit strikes to Wengen, Switzerland, from January 17-19, 2025.
