Swiss von Allmen claims maiden World Cup win in Wengen Super-G
Switzerland's Franjo von Allmen claimed a surprise maiden win in the men's World Cup Super-G race at home in Wengen on Friday.
The 23-year-old downhill specialist's risk-taking performance sealed victory in 1min 47.65sec.
"There are so many emotions, I just try to be in the moment," von Allmen said.
"Especially as a Swiss guy, it's really something special."
Austrian veteran Vincent Kriechmayr, 33, was second at 0.10sec, having also finished second in Bormio last month.
Von Allmen's compatriot Stefan Rogentin, bruised and sore after a fall in downhill training during the week, completed the podium at 0.58.
Von Allmen had already been on the podium this season, finishing second in the downhills in Val Gardena and Bormio in December.
His first podium was third in the Super-G a year ago in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.
He becomes the seventh first-time winner on the men's World Cup tour this season, including the fourth from Switzerland.
Under bright sunshine and blue skies, von Allmen was nearly flawless, making up time on the technical middle section having trailed at the top of the course.
"I think it was a solid run," said von Allmen, adding it was "not at all" perfect. "For once I did not many mistakes, and had some fast skiing."
Overall World Cup and discipline leader Marco Odermatt finished a disappointing seventh, missing the podium for the first time in his four Super-G races in Wengen.
The 27-year-old Swiss had not finished outside the top five in a World Cup Super-G since March 2022.
He lost time throughout and finished more than a second behind von Allmen who is eighth in the overall World Cup standings heading into Saturday's downhill in the Swiss resort.
"Easier? I don't think so," von Allmen warned. "I try to put emotions down and focus again for tomorrow."
O.Wagner--MP