Franjo Von Allmen: GEPA pictures
A Perfect Day on the Lauberhorn
It was an ideal day for ski racing on the legendary Lauberhorn in Wengen, Switzerland. Warm temperatures and sunny skies created excellent conditions for the athletes, setting the stage for an exciting super-G competition. The picturesque backdrop of the Swiss Alps added to the drama, making it a day to remember.
Von Allmen Claims First Career Win
Wearing bib 3, Franjo Von Allmen took the leader’s chair early and never relinquished it. The 23-year-old Swiss rising star, with one previous super-G podium and two in downhill, earned his first World Cup victory on the legendary Lauberhorn. In front of an enthusiastic home crowd, Von Allmen delivered a near-flawless performance, cementing his place among the sport’s elite.
“Winning my first World Cup at home is the best dream come true,” Von Allmen said after the race. “The atmosphere here in Wengen—with the crowd, the weather, and all the emotions—was absolutely incredible. Sharing the podium with my teammate (Stefan Rogentin) made it even more special. Having two Swiss skiers up there adds so much to the race. It’s hard to put into words what it means to see my name on the winners’ list at such a legendary venue. I’m just trying to live in the moment and take it all in.”
Reflecting on his performance, Von Allmen added, “I think it was a solid run—not perfect at all, but for once, I didn’t make many mistakes and had some really fast skiing.”
Joining him on the podium were Austrian Vincent Kriechmayr, who finished second in back-to-back super-G races, and Swiss teammate Stefan Rogentin, ensuring a day of celebration for the home fans. With two Swiss athletes on the podium, it was a historic moment for the team and the nation.
“Second place is a great result, and my skiing was nearly perfect,” Kriechmayr said after the race. “I lost a bit of time in the Kernan-S, but I pushed hard to make up ground in the final sections. That one-tenth of a second—I think I could find it, but I’m sure Franjo could also find even more time. He skied brilliantly today.”
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Crawford Sets the Early Standard
Canadian James “Jack” Crawford, the reigning World Champion, kicked off the race with a clean, commanding run. His time of 1:48.27 set an early benchmark, immediately applying pressure on the rest of the field. Crawford’s strong performance kept him in contention throughout the race. Although he ultimately finished just off the podium in fourth, 0.62 seconds behind Von Allmen, it marked his best super-G result of the season on a course set by his coach, John Kucera.
Von Allmen Ignites the Home Crowd
Von Allmen, starting with bib 3, quickly stole the spotlight. Skiing with remarkable maturity and skill, he electrified the home crowd as he tackled the Lauberhorn with precision and aggression. His run was both bold and composed, leaving no doubt about his intentions.
Crossing the finish line with a 0.62-second lead over Crawford, Von Allmen claimed the top spot and settled confidently into the leader’s chair. The Swiss fans roared with approval, sensing they were witnessing a career-defining moment for their young star.
Von Allmen Holds the Lead After Ten
The leaderboard remained intact as the first ten racers completed their runs, and every competitor successfully crossed the finish. Von Allmen retained his lead, holding a narrow 0.10-second edge over Kriechmayr. Crawford continued to impress in temporary third, sitting 0.62 seconds back.
The race was shaping up for a dramatic finish, with plenty of strong contenders still to challenge the top times.
Rogentin Shines, Odermatt Falls Short
Swiss pride surged yet again when bib 11 Stefan Rogentin delivered a standout run, moving into third place and solidifying Switzerland’s dominance on the podium. The home crowd erupted with joy, celebrating two of their own in the top three. Rogentin’s performance was even more remarkable given that he crashed during a downhill training run earlier this week. Overcoming that setback, he showed immense courage to attack the course and secure his third career podium and first of the season, making it a truly inspiring day for Swiss skiing.
“It wasn’t easy today, especially at the start,” Rogentin admitted, reflecting on his training crash earlier in the week. “The mental stuff was tough, but after the second gate, I found my race mindset and forgot about everything else. I started feeling sore midway down—earlier than I hoped—but I kept pushing, and it worked. To finish on the podium here, in front of the Swiss fans, makes it all worth it.”
However, all eyes were on pre-race favorite Marco Odermatt, the season’s super-G leader, as he started with bib 13. Despite high expectations, Odermatt could not match the leaders’ pace and crossed the line in seventh. The crowd, while momentarily subdued, cheered him warmly, appreciating his efforts and celebrating Switzerland’s strong showing with Von Allmen and Rogentin holding first and third.
Tough Start for Team USA
Jarod Goldberg, the first Stifel U.S. Ski Team member to race, faced a challenging day on the Lauberhorn. Despite being the runner-up in the Val Gardena/Gröden super-G earlier this season, Goldberg struggled to generate the speed needed to compete with the leaders. He crossed the finish line 2.81 seconds behind Franjo Von Allmen, the slowest run at that point. Goldberg ultimately finished outside the top 30, leaving the remaining U.S. racers with ground to make up.
Alexander Builds on Canada’s Early Efforts
Cameron Alexander, the second Canadian to ski, took to the course following a brief TV break. He showed promise early, threatening the lead in the upper sections. However, he lost momentum in the lower part of the course and crossed the finish line 1.13 seconds behind Von Allmen, temporarily claiming the eighth-fastest time.
Cochran-Siegle Keeps U.S. in the Mix
The next North American to race was Ryan Cochran-Siegle of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team. Like Alexander, Cochran-Siegle had a solid run but lacked the speed to challenge the leaders. He temporarily slotted into 10th place, 1.41 seconds off the lead, and eventually finished 11th.
“Overall, I’m happy with how I skied today,” Cochran-Siegle said after the race. “The track got a bit bumpy for some of us starting later in the seed, but I focused on staying committed and driving confidently through the turns. It’s my best super-G result of the season on paper, and it’s rewarding to know I can ski solidly from top to bottom here. Other races this season had good skiing but with mistakes that held me back. Tomorrow’s downhill is exciting—I feel confident after the second training run, and with sunny skies and a big crowd, I’m just looking forward to attacking the critical sections and having fun.”
Canadians Shine as a Team
It was a good day for the Canadians overall. Crawford finished just off the podium in fourth, 0.62 seconds behind the leader, while Alexander secured eighth, 1.13 seconds back. Jeffrey Read also had a commendable performance, finishing 22nd with a time 2.07 seconds off the pace.
U.S. Ski Team Finds Points
The Stifel U.S. Ski Team didn’t deliver standout results but still had encouraging finishes. Cochran-Siegle led the team in 11th, while Sam Morse scored his first super-G points of the season in 27th, 2.24 seconds back. River Radamus and Bryce Bennett rounded out the U.S. scoring contingent in 29th and 30th, respectively, with Radamus 2.31 seconds off the lead and Bennett just 0.01 seconds behind him.
Looking Ahead to the Iconic Lauberhorn Downhill
As the sun set on a thrilling super-G race, all eyes turn to tomorrow’s iconic Lauberhorn downhill. The longest course on the World Cup tour promises to test the endurance, skill, and bravery of the world’s best skiers. With weather predictions mirroring today’s warm temperatures and sunny skies, conditions are expected to be perfect once again, setting the stage for another exciting competition.
Franjo Von Allmen will carry the momentum of his maiden victory, while fellow Swiss racers Stefan Rogentin and Marco Odermatt look to make their mark in front of a passionate home crowd. The Americans and Canadians will also aim to improve their standings on this historic course.
Stay tuned as the excitement continues in Wengen, where the Lauberhorn promises another unforgettable chapter in ski racing history.
Top 30 Race Results
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Run Analysis: Fastest Three and Top 30 North Americans
About the Author: Peter Lange
