Alexis Monnye was deprived of a sumptuous table in Kitzbühel

There was Claude Monet the Impressionist, and there is the impressive Alexis Monnery on the skis. The Friborgian almost signed his second victory in the World Cup on Streif. He almost glimpsed the cabin with his name, the honor reserved for winners like Beat Feuz, Pirmin Zurbriggen, Didier Cuche or Didier Dédégo.

From this mythical descent, everyone hopes to cut Kitzbühel’s finish line faster than their opponents. Not everyone has time to believe it. But Alexis Monnye, he was able to live this dream for a few minutes. “It may be a little arrogant, and I don’t want to be like that, but I thought it was going to be enough,” he admits at the bottom of the track. Afterwards, there are always good skiers. ”

At the bormid It was he who had arisen bibs high To seize first place. This Saturday, there was James Crawford (left in 20^e position). Everyone has their turn.

Was the Canadian not always cited among the favorites? It’s normal. His only high-level victory occurred at the super-g of the Courchevel Worlds in 2023. Before setting off in Kitzbühel, he had four podiums (three downhill, one in super-G). It was he who came to spoil the painting. “He skiped it super well, you have to leave him,” concedes Alexis Monny, a good player and “hypercontent of his result”.

He likes to be abused

The 25-year-old skier remains faithful to himself. You will not see it boil with anger and frustration. He also does not embark on great speeches. With a discreet nature, he left all his energy anyway on the track and the headquarters of the race.

“I was quite upset with each runner,” he admits without denying his second place. The day before, he finished 24^e of a Super-G won by Marco Odermatt. A result below the capacities of the one that feeds on the most difficult routes. “I like it when it hits”, regularly likes to say the native of Châtel-Saint-Denis.

We almost want to see a specialty there. “I don’t know if I am the difficult track skier,” he replied with a smile. But I can express myself on this kind of track. ”

The recipe to win? He summed it up in a few words. “You need courage, technique, skiing, good equipment. And as always to win a race, you have to take out a good round when necessary. ” Streif is the prerogative of complete skiers and confident.

A podium, a Swiss

Hinge of the domination of the Swiss downhill: each test allows to glimpse the shadow of a victory, a double and even a hat -trick. That is to say the quality of the team, which signed the first two places in the first four races of the season. “We must not count on a double every time, because it will be difficult to hold,” tempered Alexis Monnery before the start of the weekend.

With this measured tone that characterizes him, he could not help adding: “I do not say that it is impossible, because we all get along well and that we are all in good shape.”

It was possible, but Canadians James Crawford and Cameron Alexander (3^e+0 ” 22) shone. More than the Helvetians, who were expected at the turn. Marco Odermatt (6^e+0 ” 55), Franjo von the general (9^e+0 ” 71) or Justin Murisier (11^e+0 ” 74) were good, not perfect.

This time, there was “only” the Fribourgeois to get on the podium. “It is not because there is a race where the Swiss are not in the lead that it is a bad result,” smiles Franjo von Allmen, very happy for his teammate.

He is not the only one, in this group of friends who are decidedly very united. Arnaud Boisset, who was 32^e Leaving, watched Alexis Monnery’s race from his room, before climbing at the top of the track. “I really jubilee,” he rejoices. Too bad he finally goes behind. “

Valaisan was eliminated after a fall. “I lost control of my skis. Again a fault of the squares, I think. My legs are still shaking a little, there is a lot of adrenaline. Beaver Creek nightmare images (Editor’s note: there has been a concussion this season) have returned to my head during my fall. “

His state of shock does not prevent him from being enthusiastic about the performance of his friend. Lucid, he however refuses to speak of any surprise. The two skiers have shared training for several years, and the Friborg tends to win them with more than a second in advance. “That he can maintain his level of performance over the whole season, that’s really a crazy thing,” he said.

Justin Murisier also greets consistency. After the victory in Bormio, his friend goes on the podium in Kitzbühel. “I’m too happy for Alexis,” he says. He is a supercool guy, who always has his feet on the ground, who never has a word higher than the other. Frankly, respect for him. “

The tranquility of an old man from the old

Respect, because the maturity of Gaillard makes him pass for a routineer at only 25 years old. His demonstrations in Bormio and Kitzbühel, on a Stelvio and a Streif which send each season of Hospital skiersdid not swell his ankles. He does not see himself as a favorite. “I’m still the same person at the start, and I think I’m going to stay.”

He can see that he is progressing. His times prove it, his sensations too. Alexis Monnyery was only eight hundredths to win the most awaited event on the circuit, under the eyes of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Zlatan Ibrahimović and more than 45,000 spectators.

There are also those behind their television and who were impatiently waiting to see who was going to triumph. Even Cyprien Sarrazin, a double winner last year, slipped a word to ski fans. “I am delighted to see the winner’s celebration,” he said with a big smile in a video published on Friday evening.

Alexis Monnyry jubilated for a few moments, but calm has resumed the upper hand. He takes things as they come. His gold trophy goes under his nose? Too bad, he will temporarily be satisfied with that of money, which he will put in his living room next to those received in Bormio. “I will have to come back stronger to have the chamois in gold.”

Appointment is made. Until then, the Friborg will enjoy the delirious atmosphere in the Austrian Tyrol. The night promises to be crazy before the slalomers entered the track on Sunday morning (first round from 10:15 am).

Phew, Marco Odermatt still has a goal

Kitzbühel’s descent did not smile at Marco Odermatt. The Nidwaldian had made it the big goal of his season. More than Wengen, even more than Adelboden, he hoped to win this legendary Streif, one of the rare successes he lacks. The victory in the Queen discipline escaped him. It comes out of the weekend with a victory, acquired in super-G Friday.

It offers a consolation batch in the form of golden chamois and nearly 113,000 euros in bonus. “”[Le super-G] was a big victory for me, but today it was not perfect, and I am very happy with my weekend, “said” Odi “, expeditious like never at the time of the interview after the descent .

In his discharge, the 27 -year -old skier has just explained long and wide to all the media why he finished sixth in the descent. Where others would sign for this result without hesitation, Marco Odermatt has accustomed the world of alpine skiing to his victories (44 success in the World Cup) and his podiums (80). All the attention is focused on him, which redoubles efforts to focus on his races.

As a preparation for Saturday, “Odi” saw his Friday day scrolling at full speed, until he joined the bib drawing ceremony in Zielhaus, a stone’s throw from the Streif. Another meeting followed, this time for the awards ceremony for the test of the day.

“There is nothing else to do. You have to try to recover, train a little, then focus on the next day’s race, “says Patrick Riml, who works for the Red Bull Athletes Special Projects, an entity that works in concert with the federations of skiers sponsored by the Brand of drinks.

Marco Odermatt did not conquer this descent which he coveted so much. “The most difficult of the season”, in his words. His disappointment of the day can give birth to hopes for Swiss spectators. Because as long as the Nidwaldian Ogre has failed to place itself at the forefront of the descent, it will always have an objective to accomplish before saying that it has won everything.

Rebecca Garcia is a journalist at the sports section. Holder of a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Neuchâtel, she is particularly interested in alpine skiing and the sports economy.More info

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