The Swiss Alexis Monney signed, at the age of 24 and to everyone’s surprise, his first victory in the Alpine Ski World Cup by winning the downhill in Bormio (Italy) on Saturday.
Monney, who had never been on a podium on the world circuit in 35 races at this level, was ahead of his compatriot Franjo Von Allmen, 2nd at 24/100th, and the Canadian Cameron Alexander, 3rd at 72/100th.
His best result in the World Cup so far was an 8th place in Kitzbühel (Austria) in February 2024.
Starting with bib N.19, Monney tamed the Stelvio, one of the most difficult tracks on the circuit, the scene of Cyprien Sarrazin’s violent fall on Friday during training.
The Frenchman, winner of the Bormio downhill just a year ago and world No.2 in downhill last winter, was operated on during the night from Friday to Saturday to drain an intracranial hematoma. The operation “went well,” the French Ski Federation said on Saturday morning.
On the track where the men’s alpine skiing events at the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan Cortina will take place, Marco Odermatt, leader of the general classification and winner of the last three editions of the World Cup, had to settle for fifth place, at 80 /100th of his compatriot. But he was hampered by the accidental triggering of the airbag, the protective device in his suit.
The Swiss, who remained on two victories, in downhill in Val Gardena (Italy) and in giant slalom in Alta Badia (Italy), however consolidated his first place in the general classification with 585 points.
Before the super-G on Sunday, still in Bormio, which he won in 2022 and 2023, he is 116 points ahead of the Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen, who does not participate in the speed events.
The French team, still in shock from the fall of its leader, and prey to food poisoning, is still represented in the top 10 after the passage of the first 45 competitors: Nils Allègre occupies the provisional 10th place, 1 sec 26/100th from Monney.
jr/hpa
