by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Franjo von Allmen believes that even small mishaps can turn into advantages - a philosophy that has now led him to the top of the podium at the 2025 Ski World Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria. The 23-year-old Swiss stunned the alpine skiing world by claiming gold in the men's downhill race, marking a historic moment in his young career.
Von Allmen's journey to gold has been anything but ordinary. The Bern-born skier faced immense challenges early on, including the unexpected loss of his father in 2019 when he was just 17. The tragedy brought financial instability, putting his career at risk. In a desperate bid to keep his dreams alive, his family turned to crowdfunding, raising 16,000 Swiss francs to fund his next winter season.
At the time, he was still an unrecognized talent, yet to catch the attention of the Swiss Ski Association. But with perseverance and belief, he worked his way into the national team, setting the stage for his remarkable rise.
In his first-ever World Championship downhill race, Von Allmen took gold, finishing ahead of Austrian legend Vincent Kriechmayr and fellow Swiss Alexis Monney. His unexpected triumph made him the youngest world champion in downhill skiing since 1989, when 21-year-old Hansjorg Tauscher shocked the competition in Colorado.
Despite being overshadowed by Swiss superstar Marco Odermatt, the reigning Super-G champion and pre-race favorite, Von Allmen seized his opportunity while Odermatt settled for fifth. After the race, Odermatt graciously acknowledged his teammate's incredible performance:
"The most important thing is that a Swiss skier won today. We love our team spirit, and Franjo did a great job."
Beyond skiing, Von Allmen is also a trained carpenter, having pursued his education as a backup plan in case his skiing career didn't take off. However, his bold racing style and fearless approach have now cemented his place among the sport's rising stars.
"From the beginning, I knew that only taking full risks would get me somewhere. I never dreamed of gold, but I always believed in a podium finish," he said, still processing his historic win.
As Switzerland celebrates a new downhill hero, Von Allmen's incredible story of resilience, passion, and risk-taking proves that even the most unlikely champions can rise to the occasion. ■
