Franzoni Claims Breakthrough Wengen Victory In Super-G

Giovanni Franzoni secured his first career World Cup victory in the men's super-G on the Lauberhorn on Friday Olympics, delivering a stunning performance that positions Italy strongly ahead of the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

Franzoni took full advantage of the pristine morning conditions and a clean track. Reaching top speeds of 140.44 kph (87 mph), he navigated the technical "Canadian Corner" and the daunting "Kernen-S" section with a precision that left the world’s elite chasing shadows.

"I feel unbelievable because I crashed here two years ago and had a bad injury on my hamstring—I struggled so much to recover," Franzoni said after the race. "To win on this slope, which is so special to me, is a dream. With bib number one, I felt the pressure, but I just tried to enjoy the race and stay fast."

The win was also deeply emotional for the Italian, who dedicated the performance to his close friend and former roommate, Matteo Franzoso, who tragically passed away during preseason training in Chile four months ago.

From the start it was all about Franzoni on a sun-baked opening day of the Wengen speed weekend. Taking full advantage of a clean, compact course, the Italian flew out of the gate, clocking the quickest times at each of the first three speed guns, including the crucial entrance to the famed Kernen-S. As is often the case, this impossibly narrow section of the Lauberhorn ended the challenge of many – including Odermatt and former Super G world champion Vincent Kriechmayr (AUT/Head) – but no such problems for Franzoni.

While the 140.44 kmph he clocked down the Hanegschuss, the fastest part of the Lauberhorn, ended up as just the ninth quickest, Franzoni was lightening down the critical closing Ziel-S section.

It all added up to a life-changing performance, and one that was even more impressive considering what had come before for the Italian down the Lauberhorn. Two years ago, his rise was temporarily halted by a fall in Wengen. He suffered a complex flexor tendon injury in his right thigh upon landing in the netting at Canadian Corner. His best World Cup result before this season was fourth place at Beaver Creek at the end of 2024.

“It’s been a long journey because during the last three years I worked a lot. Mentally I grew up really, really a lot,” he said before dedicating his win to former teammate, Matteo Franzoso who died in a training crash in September last year.

“It’s always on my mind and I try to remember him always. I dedicated my first podium to him and also this victory. I said at the beginning of the season I would ski with him all my life.”

The 24-year-old Italian, starting first with bib number one, posted a winning time of 1:45.19 Olympics on one of Alpine skiing's most iconic courses. His near-flawless run withstood challenges from the world's best, including overall World Cup leader Marco Odermatt, who could only manage fourth place.

Austria's Stefan Babinsky finished second, 0.35 seconds behind, claiming his first career podium Olympics, while Switzerland's Franjo von Allmen was third, 0.37 seconds back Olympics. Odermatt, seeking his fifth Wengen victory, finished 0.53 seconds off the pace.

For Babinsky and von Allmen podium places in Wengen will be celebrated, perhaps even more so for the 29-year-old Austrian. Four times previously Babinsky has finished fourth, including in the Copper Mountain Super G earlier this season. But finally, in the Swiss sun, it was his time,

“It was a very good run and I am proud of it,” Babinsky said with a smile. “It was a tough fight the last years, I got some fourth places but never (a podium). I always trusted in myself and I think that’s probably the key.”

Stefan Babinsky had never finished on a World Cup podium in 93 previous races @FIS/ActionPress/Dominik Angerer

Just a year ago von Allmen stood on the top of the Super G podium but after a major error early on at Canadian Corner, he was delighted to just be in the mix once more.

“My run I am not too happy with, I had a big mistake and I was pretty surprised to go onto the podium with this run, so at the end of the day I would say really happy,” von Allmen reported before turning his thoughts to winner Franzoni.

The victory carries special significance for Franzoni, who suffered a serious crash on the same course three years ago that required thigh surgery. His winning run came four months after the death of his close friend and former roommate, Matteo Franzoso, in a preseason training accident in Chile

Franzoni reflected on his redemption story, noting he excelled through difficult sections where he had previously struggled. His only prior World Cup podium came last month with a third-place finish in Val Gardena on home snow.

The breakthrough win couldn't have come at a better time for Italy, with the Milan Cortina Olympics just three weeks away. Men's Alpine skiing events will be held in Bormio, and Franzoni has now established himself as a genuine medal contender for the host nation.