Franjo von Allmen Olympic downhill / GEPA pictures
Franjo von Allmen has become one of alpine skiing’s biggest speed stars after winning three Olympic gold medals, two 2025 world titles, and finishing second behind Marco Odermatt in the 2025 and 2026 World Cup downhill standings.
During a lighthearted conversation at the World Cup Finals, the cheerful Swiss champion shared thoughts about motivation, success, technical improvement and the joy that continues to drive him both on and off the snow.
Von Allmen’s path from FIS Entry League to Olympic gold
First, a look at von Allmen’s rapid rise through the sport. The skier from Boltigen, Switzerland, started his first FIS Entry League race at age 16 in October 2017. Less than a decade later, he has become one of the dominant names in alpine skiing speed disciplines.
Here is a summary of his first nine seasons in the FIS system:
• 2017/18: First FIS event (Entry League downhill, finishing 68th). His first FIS season totaled 53 FIS-event starts in five disciplines.
• 2018/19: First FIS top-10 result (giant slalom).
• 2019/20: First FIS top-five result (downhill).
• 2020/21: First FIS victory (alpine combined), first European Cup start (super-G), and first — and only — FIS slalom victory.
• 2021/22: Three silver medals at the FIS Junior World Ski Championships (downhill, super-G, and alpine combined). Last season racing four disciplines.
• 2022/23: First European Cup victory (downhill) and first World Cup start (downhill). Increasingly focused on speed disciplines.
• 2023/24: First full World Cup season in super-G and downhill and first World Cup podium (super-G).
• 2024/25: First World Cup victory (super-G), two world titles (downhill and team combined), and two World Cup downhill victories. Second in the World Cup downhill standings.
• 2025/26: Three Olympic gold medals (downhill, super-G, and team combined), plus two World Cup downhill victories. Second in the World Cup downhill standings.
Von Allmen’s post-Olympic motivation
SRM: Congratulations on your season and gold medals! Was it difficult to stay motivated after the successful Olympic Winter Games?
Von Allmen: No, I don’t think so. It was quite a good motivation to keep going and to try to also keep up with Marco for the globe. It was not possible for me. Marco is still Marco and he had a solid season from the beginning. For me, overall, this season, [there were] a little bit too many mistakes in the downhill and also in the super-G to keep up with the best.
Even after reaching the top of the sport, von Allmen still measures himself against the standard Odermatt continues to set in men’s speed skiing.
How von Allmen experiences his success
SRM: Eight-and-a-half years ago, you entered your first FIS race, an Entry League race. And now, you have five gold medals. How would you describe the journey you’ve made in these years? Because you didn’t win your Entry League race. I can tell you that.
The cheerful Swiss skier laughed heartily.
Von Allmen: I believe you! It’s crazy, of course. Especially the last five years, when I came [into] Europa Cup, and then, the first good results in the European Cup and the World Cup. Especially those steps were big and fast for me. So, for the moment, I just try to enjoy that and put it somewhere in my mind, but to realize it is difficult. I try to put it somewhere, so, when I’m in summer, I can look back to the season: “Oh, that happened last year, or last winter.” But to really get it into my head is difficult.
The 24-year-old’s rapid climb through the sport has come so quickly that even he admits it can still feel unreal.
How von Allmen wants to improve his skiing
Von Allmen is known for skiing aggressively at the limit and producing spectacular recoveries that often leave fans and competitors shaking their heads.
SRM: When we talked in 2024, after the Kvitfjell World Cup, you said you were going to work on taking more risks, but at the same time …
The Swiss racer immediately laughed and looked surprised.
Von Allmen: You’re sure that was me?
Mutual laughter.
SRM: Yes! But at the same time work on getting safer in your skiing so you can avoid injuries.
Von Allmen: Okay. That sounds good! Ha-ha-ha-ha!
Again, von Allmen burst into sincere laughter.
Von Allmen: Yes, of course, I think I tried to work on that when I said it. For me, risk management and safe skiing are still big. I have had a lot of mistakes in the season, not really because of taking unnecessary risk; just because of my ski technique. Sometimes, it doesn’t work out the way I wanted it to. But, yes, I still try to figure it out, to be fast without any special moments.
SRM: Anything else?
Von Allmen: Yes, we are working all day in the summer and winter, pre-season, just to get a solid technique and solid skiing always. I especially try to improve my turns to get them faster and safer.
Despite the victories and growing fame, von Allmen still talks like a skier searching for improvement rather than someone satisfied with success.
What are von Allmen’s summer plans?
Von Allmen is known for posting cheerful, adrenaline-fueled social media reels and photos. He enjoys spending time on skis, mountain bikes, and motocross bikes while being with hometown friends.
SRM: Obviously, joy is a big factor in your life. What are you looking forward to the most this summer?
Von Allmen: Oh-la-la! There’s a lot going on. Ha-ha-ha! Of course, I’m happy I can go ride my bike again and try to keep up the good emotions, the stories I make with my friends, and have a great time in the summer.
The ski racer is also a carpenter by trade. In 2024, he told Ski Racing Media that he enjoyed carpentry work and hoped to continue doing it during the off-season. Two years later, life has become busier.
SRM: Any more carpentry?
Von Allmen: I don’t think so, that there is time enough for that. Ha-ha-ha!
He remains relaxed despite the hard work, enormous success, and growing demands that come with becoming a world and Olympic champion.
About the Author: Bente Bjørnsen Sherlock
