Stelvio masterclass: Swiss star equals 58-year record with third gold
Franjo von Allmen has etched his name into Winter Olympics folklore by storming to victory in the men’s super-G to secure a historic third gold medal of the Games.
The 24-year-old Swiss sensation conquered the icy Stelvio course to finish just 0.13 seconds ahead of American Ryan Cochran-Siegle.
It marks a crowning achievement for the Boltigen native, adding to his earlier triumphs in the downhill and team combined events in Bormio.
Matching a legend
By completing the treble, the in-form speedster becomes the first male Alpine skier since Jean-Claude Killy in 1968 to win three golds at a single Games.
While Killy achieved his feat across downhill, slalom, and giant slalom in Grenoble, this modern masterclass was built on pure, unadulterated speed.
Edge of control
Launching seventh out of the start gate, the downhill champion produced a typically aggressive run on the shortened 800-metre course.
He appeared to be on the absolute limit of adhesion at times, yet his high-risk strategy paid dividends as no rival could match his blistering pace.
Cochran-Siegle capitalised on mild early conditions to repeat his silver medal success from Beijing 2022, but the day ultimately belonged to Switzerland.
Odermatt eclipsed again
Marco Odermatt, widely tipped to dominate these Games, was once again forced to play a supporting role to his younger compatriot.
The World Cup overall leader had to settle for bronze, adding to the silver he collected in Monday’s combined event.
Upon crossing the line, the triple gold medallist looked almost apologetic to Odermatt, before eventually beaming and holding up three fingers to the cameras.
Despair for Paris
There was agony for the home crowd as Italian veteran and course specialist Dominik Paris crashed out early in his run.
The ‘King of the Stelvio’ lost a ski but fortunately escaped injury as he slid harmlessly into the safety netting.
Compounding a difficult day for the hosts, Giovanni Franzoni could not replicate his downhill silver form and finished in sixth place.