Franjo von Allmen Joins Alpine Greats with Historic Triple Gold Sweep
In a stunning display of skill and composure, Swiss skier Franjo von Allmen captured his third gold medal at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, securing a place among alpine skiing legends. The 24-year-old athlete won the men's super-G event with a time of 1:25.32, marking a historic achievement that echoes the feats of Austria's Toni Sailer in 1956 and France's Jean-Claude Killy in 1968.
A Nonchalant Champion Emerges
At the finish line in Bormio, Von Allmen displayed his characteristic nonchalance, shrugging and sticking out his tongue in a playful gesture, seemingly unconvinced of his performance. However, the scoreboard revealed a different story, confirming his gold medal victory. This win adds to his earlier successes in the downhill and team combined events, completing a remarkable triple gold sweep in just five days.
Von Allmen expressed disbelief at his achievement, stating, "It sounds stupid, but I'm not interested in what is on the paper. Maybe in a few years it will be important. For now, it isn't really. I feel like I am dreaming, and I hope I don't wake up." His humble attitude contrasts with the magnitude of his accomplishment, making him a standout figure in Swiss sports history.
Challenging Conditions and Close Finishes
The super-G race presented significant challenges, with warming temperatures softening the snow and testing the nerves of competitors. Starting seventh, Von Allmen attacked the course with a daring line, maintaining speed where others hesitated. His victory margin was a narrow 0.13 seconds over American Ryan Cochran-Siegle, who claimed silver, while Swiss compatriot Marco Odermatt took bronze.
Cochran-Siegle's silver medal contributed to a remarkable 24-hour period for the University of Vermont, celebrating its third skiing medal at the Games. He humorously attributed the success to "something in the water back home," noting his mother, Barbara, a 1972 Olympic slalom champion, watched from the crowd.
Heartbreak for Rivals in Tight Competitions
Not all athletes shared in the celebration, as fierce rivalries and microscopic margins defined other events. France's Nils Allègre missed a super-G medal by just three hundredths of a second, finishing fourth after what he described as one of the finest runs of his career. "I'm furious, that's for sure. It's hard, very hard," Allègre said, reflecting on a pattern of near-misses in his career.
In women's moguls, Australia's Jakara Anthony, the Beijing gold medallist, failed to defend her title after a minor mistake in the super final. Despite leading in early rounds, a skid cost her the victory, leaving her in eighth place. "I'm bummed. I really had what it took to take that top step, but I just didn't put it down on that last run when it counted," she admitted.
Medal Table Updates and Key Events
As the Games progress, Norway leads the medal tally with 13 total medals, followed closely by the United States with 12 and Italy with 13. Switzerland, bolstered by Von Allmen's successes, sits in fourth place with 7 medals. Key events to watch include alpine skiing with contenders like Italy's Sofia Goggia, ice hockey featuring NHL players, and freestyle skiing with Japan's Horishima Ikuma in moguls.
The Olympic spirit is further highlighted by athletes like Summer Britcher of the United States, who reframed her 14th-place finish in luge as a privilege, stating, "A year ago, no one would have guessed that I would have even had a chance at a medal, so to be standing here heartbroken is a privilege." This perspective underscores the dedication and resilience required in winter sports.
