With his small bib 3, he had few references in front of him. But at the end of the effort, Franjo von Allmen celebrated a first time, then a second time with his audience. This Bernese played almost at home since he comes from Boltigen, not even an hour’s drive from Wengen. He had this feeling of having delivered a big performance and that’s exactly what showed through his body language. He was completely right: the Simmental skier, three-time junior world vice-champion in 2022, sat in the red chair as leader of the super-G and never left it.
“It’s a very special feeling to win my first World Cup race, especially here in Wengen. Because it’s incredibly beautiful with all this ambiance. It’s really cool, explained the first Oberlander to win on the Lauberhorn since Bruno Kernen in 2003. It’s crazy! I can’t figure it out yet. I think it will come in the next few days. But for now it’s very nice and I’m really trying to enjoy the moment.”
Second in downhill in Val Gardena and Bormio in December, Franjo von Allmen, at 23, is one of those who are at the forefront in training and who have been competing with the best for several weeks. “Even last year, he was already right in front,” recalls Loïc Meillard, 23rd in the super-G on Friday. He had already made podiums and top 10s. This season, he is perhaps a little more consistent, a bit less on the limit and making big mistakes which cost a lot of time. That’s what makes the difference.”
More with the group on technique than speed, Loïc Meillard describes a “guy who is always happy and ready to laugh”. Close to him all winter, because he is “really one of his best friends in the team”, Arnaud Boisset portrays someone who is “quiet to live with”. “I think it’s the most Romand of the German-speaking people,” he laughs. He doesn’t live far from the border and he’s almost at home here. Besides, I told him that he had waited on purpose to celebrate his first victory in front of his audience.
-In the media area in the finish area, Franjo von Allmen mimed a pose of a guy who just wanted to go and rest. But instead, often interrupted by the chants to his glory from the spectators in the stands, he had to carry on with interviews. “It’s going to be a long day for him. But a very nice day,” magnificently summed up leader Marco Odermatt, 7th in the super-G and not unhappy not to take all the spotlight for once.
At 3:30 p.m., at the restaurant next to the team hotel, Franjo von Allmen quickly grabbed a plate with his podium friend Stefan Rogentin, magnificent 3rd even though he had fallen heavily during the week in training . An hour earlier, with his black eye, Rogentin was telling the story. “It’s always better to share the podium with a colleague. Especially with a guy like Franjo. He’s like a dog: always happy.” The king of guys.
