Switzerland's Alexis Monney delivered a stunning performance at the Bormio World Cup downhill skiing race, capturing his first career victory on December 28, 2024. Racing on the challenging Stelvio course, Monney clocked in at 1:53.43, edging out his compatriot Franjo Von Allmen by just 24 hundredths of a second. The triumph marks another highlight for the Swiss ski team, demonstrating their dominance on the World Cup circuit this season.
Monney's victory was not just about timing; it was about execution. His run was described as practically perfect, especially during the pivotal Carcentina section of the course. Monney, who started the race with bib number 19, executed his lines flawlessly and maintained the fastest speeds through the latter part of the course, making the winning difference at the San Pietro jump and final wall of the Stelvio.
Franjo Von Allmen also showcased incredible skill throughout the race, having led for portions before Monney's surprise attack. "Mattia Casse ha chiuso in 4^ posizione (+0.79), primo degli italiani," reported Italian sports media, highlighting the performance of the top Italian skier, who experienced notable frustration. Casse, appearing set to challenge for the podium, fell short due to a significant error mid-course just before the Carcentina, which cost him precious time.
Results revealed the fierce competition, with Canadian Cameron Alexander claiming third place, finishing 72 hundredths of a second behind Monney. The podium was filled with excitement as Monney celebrated alongside his fellow competitors, two of whom were from Switzerland.
Marco Odermatt, the current leader of the World Cup standings and expected to contend for the trophy, faced challenges of his own. An unexpected airbag deployment during his run affected his speed, yet he somehow still finished fifth, just one hundredth of a second behind Casse. This achievement, under the circumstances, was seen as impressive, reflecting Odermatt's tenacity and skill.
The Italian team, meanwhile, had mixed results. While Casse managed to secure fourth, veteran skier Dominik Paris, who has six victories on the Stelvio, finished far behind at 17th, grappling with poor form and finishing over 2 seconds off the pace. Christof Innerhofer and Florian Schieder also found themselves outside the highly competitive top spots, illustrating the fierce nature of this elite ski race.
The race conditions were notoriously tricky as well. The Stelvio course featured patches of frozen and aggressive snow, making both line choices and speed management incredibly challenging. Reportedly, “Lo svizzero ha anticipato di ventiquattro centesimi il connazionale von Allmen e di settantadue il canadese Alexander,” which speaks to Monney's well-timed lines and the high stakes involved.
Overall, the Bormio race has solidified the reputation of Swiss skiing, where the focus turns to future races. With Monney stepping up, the young Swiss skiers are proving formidable. Team analyst and former competitor emphasized how Monney's win not only boosts his confidence but also propels the Swiss team forward. "Odermatt mantiene il pettorale rosso di leader della classifica di specialità," confirmed another journalist, reflecting the overall success of the Swiss team.
Looking forward, the Swiss contingent is well-positioned to continue capitalizing on their momentum as they prepare for the Super-G scheduled for December 29. With Monney's ascent, the team is hopeful for continued achievements and possibly more podium finishes as they navigate the demanding challenges the World Cup presents.
