Franjo von Allmen: daredevil on the descent, zen master of expectations and can opener of sponsorship
The 23-year-old from the Bernese Oberland arouses high expectations with his performances, which he himself puts into perspective. And he reveals what coincidence brought him to Red Bull.
Franjo von Allmen visits key parts of the course together with downhill coach Reto Nydegger.
Image: Sven Thomann/Freshfocus/Blick
The next step seems pre-programmed. After his second place in the Val Gardena downhill, the first World Cup victory awaits the super talented Franjo von Allmen. But the 23-year-old from the Bernese Oberland, a wild and risky daredevil on the slopes, immediately dispels such expectations himself. Before the Bormio descent, he points out that he has only finished in the top 10 in a World Cup race five times.
With his stoic calm, with which he tames the euphoria surrounding his achievements, Von Allmen is reminiscent of a Chinese Zen master. “This is only my second season in the World Cup. I see the expectations, but I want to evolve step by step. Every top 10 result is always great for me. It is important that I stay here and now,” he says in the best tradition of enlightened meditation teachers.
Franjo von Allmen (left) and Marco Odermatt at the champagne fight at the awards ceremony in Val Gardena.
Image: Alessandro Trovati/AP
The trained carpenter from Boltigen manages to meet expectations without any mental preparation. He’s thought about it, but he feels in a very good place mentally. “I’m working on this myself and from what I’m feeling I don’t need any support at the moment.”
Another major problem for Simmental is its management of risks in racing. The fact that he often pushes his limits on the slopes and that his journey to second place in Val Gardena was a wild ride not only triggers storms of enthusiasm among his coaches. The fear of falling and being seriously injured is omnipresent. But how can you give the daredevil a virtual airbag without making him lose his extraordinary speed?
The setback at Beaver Creek was quickly overcome
At the start of the season at Beaver Creek, the 23-year-old was too cautious, especially in Super-G, as he later said. It was the first time he had ridden on this track, the starting slope in particular was very demanding and there were many failures ahead of him. This constellation even slowed down Franjo von Allmen. The 33rd and 28th places in Super-G and downhill are “only the consequence of that”, he remarks dryly.
At Beaver Creek, Franjo von Allmen – present during the inspection – was overly cautious.
Image: Sven Thomann/Freshfocus/Blick
According to the Bernese Oberlander, finding the right balance between risk and control remains a difficult balancing act. “And that probably also has a lot to do with experience.” However, von Allmen impressively demonstrated in Val Gardena how quickly he can handle a mini setback like the one at Beaver Creek.
Generally speaking, he prepared with great motivation for this second World Cup season. The dream debut last season made the hard work in summer training a little easier. “I went further and was really looking forward to winter. »
He probably also enjoyed the summer sponsorship activities. With Red Bull and the Breitling watch brand, the young driver was able to land two powerful global companies. And at Red Bull, Franjo von Allmen showed as much bravado as on the tracks.
Quench your thirst and come to Red Bull
At the World Cup final in Saalbach, he negotiated with Patrick Riml, ski director of the drinks company. But his approach was not so bold and sassy, as he revealed on the sidelines of the Bormio races. He didn’t even know Riml. “Actually, I was just thirsty and as Patrick was standing next to the Red Bull fridge, I asked him for a drink and that’s how we started talking.”
Since then, von Allmen has worn the flying bulls on his helmet and, like Marco Odermatt, also benefits from the training center near Salzburg. The visit and contributions over the summer were another important source of inspiration, says von Allmen.
A bit of adrenaline-filled action is usually on Franjo von Allmen’s racing schedule.
Image: John Locher/AP
Today the departure from Bormio is on the program. His baptism of fire on the “Stelvio”, undoubtedly the most demanding track of the World Cup, was a disappointment a year ago with 37th place. But his driving style also suits Bormio. The question is whether Franjo von Allmen learns as quickly as Odermatt. And so the consequences of the contusion on the foot after a hard landing during the first training session on the San Pietro jump will not affect him. The 23-year-old says of the initial situation before today’s start: “If I do it intelligently and drive with my head, then there should be something here too.
