Italy welcomes a rising star in Alpine skiing ahead of the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, as Giovanni Franzoni secured his maiden World Cup victory on the renowned Lauberhorn course in a super-G event. This triumph comes just four months after the tragic loss of his close friend and former roommate, Matteo Franzoso, in a training accident in Chile.
Franzoni, aged 24 and a former world junior champion in super-G, downhill, and Alpine combined disciplines, set the pace as the first racer on the course. Clocking a top speed of 140.44 kph, he finished 0.35 seconds ahead of Austria’s Stefan Babinsky and 0.37 seconds in front of Switzerland’s Franjo von Allmen, the reigning downhill world champion.
Canada’s Jack Crawford claimed the 20th spot with a time of 1:47.65. Franzoni showcased exceptional skill in navigating the challenging Canadian Corner and Kernen S sections of the course, outperforming his competitors.
Notably, Swiss skier Marco Odermatt, the current overall World Cup leader and a four-time Wengen winner, secured fourth place, trailing Franzoni by 0.53 seconds. The top American finisher was Ryan Cochran-Siegle, who placed sixth.
Having also dominated the downhill training sessions, Franzoni is now a strong contender for the upcoming downhill race. His previous best World Cup finish was third in a super-G event in Val Gardena. As Italy’s Alpine skiing team gears up for the Olympics in Bormio, Franzoni emerges as a key figure.
Reflecting on his recent success, Franzoni expressed disbelief at his achievements on challenging courses where he had previously struggled. The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics’ opening ceremony is set for February 6, with athletes eagerly anticipating the prestigious event.
Several notable absentees from the Wengen super-G include Marco Schwarz, the Austrian victor of the previous race in Livigno, and Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, the Norwegian skier who skipped the event due to health concerns.
The Alpine skiing community eagerly anticipates the thrilling competition set to unfold at the Winter Olympics, where Franzoni and other talented skiers will vie for glory on the world stage.