Franjo Von Allmen: GEPA pictures
Overcast Skies Add to the Challenge
For the first time this week, clouds covered the Schneekristall/Zwölfer course, adding another layer of difficulty to an already punishing track. The men had trained under bright sunshine, but today’s conditions forced them to adjust. With visibility reduced and the snow surface shifting under their skis, they had no choice but to push harder, attacking each turn at their absolute limit.
Swiss Charge Ahead with Monney
Switzerland has ruled men’s downhill all season, and Alexis Monney kept that dominance alive. From the moment he kicked out of the start gate, he was all-in. He hurled himself down the steep upper section, his skis barely in contact with the snow. Charging through the turns, he teetered on the edge of control, his body absorbing every bone-rattling compression.
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The jumps sent him flying, but he never backed off. Monney kept his skis driving forward, landing deep and pushing straight into the next section. As he hammered through the final turns, he refused to let fatigue slow him down. He crossed the finish line in 1:40.99, taking the lead by 1.03 seconds over the current leader, France’s Nils Allegre.
Kriechmayr Ignites the Crowd
The Austrians had been waiting. They packed the finish area, waving flags and roaring for their home hero—Vincent Kriechmayr.
With an entire nation behind him, Kriechmayr launched out of the start like a missile. His edges sliced into the track, his skis chattering violently as he attacked each turn. Every transition tested his nerve, but he refused to hold back. He charged into the massive jumps, launching higher and farther than most. The crowd gasped as he landed hard, his legs absorbing the impact, his momentum unshaken.
Kriechmayr skied as if nothing else mattered. His final splits flashed green, and the energy in the finish area erupted. As he barreled through the last rollers, the fans could feel it—he would take the lead.
He crossed the line in 1:40.92, snatching the lead by 0.07 seconds!
The crowd exploded. Thousands of voices merged into a deafening roar. Austrian flags waved in every direction. Kriechmayr pumped his fists, the emotion pouring out as he looked up at the leaderboard. Austria had its downhill contender.
“It was a good run—there were a few small mistakes, but Von Allmen didn’t ski perfectly either. I couldn’t fully execute my plan, but overall, it was a strong performance. The home crowd made this moment unbelievable. Skiing is an incredible sport, but without fans, it would only be worth half as much. Their energy pushed me all the way to the finish. After my injury in Wengen, getting fit in time for this race was a challenge, but my team helped me through it. I wanted to get back on snow immediately—everyone told me to rest, but patience isn’t my strength. I knew in Garmisch that I had to go all in, and today, it paid off.” — Vincent Kriechmayr
Von Allmen Attacks and Takes Over
But Switzerland had their next rocket prepared to launch. Franjo Von Allmen, the 23-year-old rising star in his first World Championship downhill, stood at the start, ready to strike.
He didn’t ski cautiously—he attacked. He pushed to his absolute limit from the first gate, hovering on the razor-thin edge between control and catastrophe. His skis rattled violently as he carved through the steep upper section, every movement calculated but daring.
He launched off the jumps with terrifying speed, soaring high and landing with bone-jarring force. The impact barely slowed him—he drove straight into the next section, refusing to back off. His aggression never faded, his skis gripping the icy track as he powered through the final turns.
The crowd held its breath. The green splits flashed. Could he do it?
Von Allmen tucked low, wringing every last ounce of speed from his skis. He thundered across the finish line—1:40.68, the new leader by 0.24 seconds!
The Swiss fans erupted, their cheers echoing through the valley. Even the Austrian supporters, despite their heartbreak, couldn’t help but acknowledge the sheer brilliance of his run.
“I can’t believe it—this is absolutely crazy. I don’t even fully realize what’s happening yet, but standing here as the 2025 Downhill World Champion is incredible. The race isn’t over until the final results are confirmed, but to be in this position, I’m really, really happy. Right now, I’m just soaking it all in, feeling the energy from everyone around me and enjoying every moment.”
“It’s amazing to share this with my teammate [Alexis Monney]. We’re the youngest on the Swiss team, and now we’re both on the podium together at the World Championships. That makes this team special—we push each other daily, and today, it paid off. It’s pretty cool to be a part of this.” — Franjo Von Allmen, 2025 Downhill World Champion
Odermatt Fights but Falls Short
The defending champion, Marco Odermatt, had the final say. His early splits flashed green, showing his trademark brilliance. But something was missing—he wasn’t fully comfortable. He fought the course, searching for something extra, but the speed just wasn’t there.
Odermatt pushed aggressively in the opening sections, skiing at full risk, but he struggled to stay fluid through the crucial middle sector. He lost speed in key transitions, and on a course as demanding as Schneekristall/Zwölfer, even the smallest mistakes proved costly. As he reached the bottom, the time bled away. He crossed in fifth place, 0.66 back.
“I knew I had to take risks today, and I did. I went full gas, but even small mistakes cost you the win on a course like this. That’s racing. I’m proud of how the Swiss team performed—if I don’t win, my young teammates do, and that’s a great sign for the future. We push each other every day, analyzing and learning together. Now, I’ll reset and focus on the giant slalom, where I’ll give everything again.” — Marco Odermatt
Swiss Dominate Another Podium
As the final racers completed their runs, Switzerland again owned the downhill. Von Allmen stood on top, securing yet another Swiss gold, with Monney taking third.
“After the super-G, we weren’t so happy—neither of us got the result we wanted,” Monney said of his and Von Allmen’s mindset leading into the downhill. “We told ourselves we had to push on Sunday and just see what happens. Now, to both be on the podium, it’s really, really cool. I think tonight is going to be a good celebration.”
Monney and Von Allmen have both had breakout seasons on the World Cup circuit, each winning their first races—Monney in Bormio’s downhill and Von Allmen in Wengen’s super-G. But Monney, who finished 18th in the 2023 World Championship downhill, had no problem letting his younger teammate take center stage.
“He’s skiing like a crazy guy,” Monney said with a grin. “But he’s really funny and really cool as well.”
But Austria refused to be left behind. Vincent Kriechmayr’s fearless run secured second place, keeping the host nation’s speed-event podium streak alive. With this result, Austria has now placed a skier on the podium in all four speed events at the World Championships.
Downhill Delivers on the Biggest Stage
This race did not disappoint. It brought all the excitement and thrills that only the fastest Alpine event can deliver—raw speed, massive jumps, and fearless skiers pushing themselves to the edge.
As the medalists celebrated, the energy in Saalbach surged. Swiss fans roared in celebration of their continued dominance, while Austrians cheered their home hero. The downhill had once again lived up to its reputation—a showcase of pure aggression, daring precision, and athletes risking it all for glory.
North American Report
Cochran-Siegle Battles but Falls Just Short
The Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Ryan Cochran-Siegle was the first North American to ski. Fast in training, he carried high expectations into his run. When he left the start gate, Swiss skier Stefan Rogentin led with a time of 1:42.06—quick, but slower than Cochran-Siegle’s best training times.
The American attacked the course with determination, pushing his limits through the high-speed sections and staying aggressive in the turns. He skied clean, absorbing the jumps and maintaining speed on the gliding section. As he crossed the finish, he was just 0.05 seconds behind Rogentin. It was a strong effort, but as the race progressed, faster times pushed him down the standings. He finished 13th, 1.43 seconds off the winning pace.
“Today was a mental battle. The opportunity was there, and I tried to focus on my skiing, but I didn’t execute as well as I needed to. Even my best skiing today wouldn’t have been close to the podium, but I know there were areas where I could have been better—maintaining height, handling compressions, and not fighting the hill as much. It’s a high-pressure environment, and I tried to embrace it, but I fell short. That said, my time isn’t over. I’ve got another shot at the downhill [team combined}, and I just need to reel in that carelessness, stop overtrying, and just go out there and ski. Have fun with it. It’ll be a great event, and I’m looking forward to it.” — Ryan Cochran-Siegle
Bennett Finds His Best Run of the Week
Stifel U.S. Ski Team member Bryce Bennett, wearing bib 10, delivered his strongest performance of the week. The Stifel U.S. Ski Team veteran skied confidently, finding the right balance of aggression and control. He stayed clean through the technical sections, attacked the jumps, and carried speed across the long gliding section.
As he crossed the finish line, he looked up and saw himself in third place—for the moment. A smile flashed across his face as he celebrated a run that finally felt right. By the end of the race, he finished 10th, securing a top-10 result for the U.S., 1.34 seconds slower than Von Allmen.
“I feel good about today, even though it’s not quite where I want to be. I’ve been skiing well this season but making small mistakes, which comes from confidence. My mindset is shifting—I’m focused on winning every weekend, but figuring out how to do that is a process. My career has had huge highs and really low lows, so it’s about rebuilding, staying consistent, and dialing things in. The Olympics are ahead, and more to come because I enjoy racing more than ever. Developing that ‘dog’ mentality every day takes time, but it’s coming.” — Bryce Bennett
Additional North Americans Struggle to Keep Pace
None of the other North Americans were able to find the speed required to finish among the top 15 and earn World Cup downhill start list points. Despite their efforts, the Schneekristall/Zwölfer course proved unforgiving, demanding both precision and aggression to contend with the world’s best.
For Canada, the 2025 World Championships did not bring the success of Courchevel 2023, where they celebrated a super-G gold and downhill bronze. This time, they leave Saalbach without a podium finish. It must be noted that Cameron Alexander, a key contender, was pulled from the championships after suffering an injury in the second training run. Meanwhile, James Crawford, the reigning 2023 super-G champion, never found his rhythm on this course, unable to replicate his past championship-winning form.
A Tough Test, Lessons for the Future
While the North Americans fell short of the podium, Bennett’s top-10 finish and Cochran-Siegle’s strong effort showed their potential on the world stage. The challenges of Saalbach highlighted the fine margins in downhill racing, where confidence, precision, and execution make the difference. With more races ahead and the Olympics on the horizon, the team will take these lessons forward as they continue chasing podium results.
Notable: World Cup points are not awarded at the World Championships, but the top 15 finishers earn World Cup Start List points, which impact their starting positions in future downhill races.
Top 30 results
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Analysis of the podium skiers and top 15 North Americans
About the Author: Peter Lange
