by Oliver Trust

BERLIN, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Against the backdrop of Switzerland's iconic Eiger, Moench and Jungfrau mountains, the Lauberhorn downhill race in Wengen once again captivated a crowd of over 40,000 spectators.

This historic event, a staple of the FIS World Cup since 1967, set the stage for thrilling performances two weeks before the 2024 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria (February 4-16).

In a display of Swiss strength, Marco Odermatt and Franjo von Allmen claimed first and second place on Saturday, continuing Switzerland's dominance in the 2024/25 season.

Odermatt, the 27-year-old standout, expressed the emotional significance of the victory: "It's a dream for every Swiss to compete here. It triggers unprecedented emotions to win."

Von Allmen, 23, also shared his excitement, commenting on the thrill of racing at over 150 km/h. "I love feeling the wind through my helmet," he said, a sentiment that captures the fierce joy of Swiss downhill racers.

The Lauberhorn race, with its challenging 4.45-kilometer course, pushes athletes to their physical and mental limits - a challenge that the new generation of Swiss daredevils relishes. The victory and strong showings of the Swiss team, led by Odermatt and Von Allmen, have quelled concerns that Switzerland's dominance in winter sports would fade following the retirement of Olympic gold medalist Beat Feuz.

Reto Nydegger, head coach of the Swiss downhill team, reaffirmed the strength of the squad. "It doesn't matter which training group the winner comes from, he just has to be Swiss," he said.

Feuz, now a TV pundit, reflected on the team spirit and the benefits of consistency in coaching, emphasizing that the Swiss ski program remains in good hands.

Odermatt, in particular, set a new track record, cementing his place alongside legends like Feuz and Austrian icon Franz Klammer with his third victory in Wengen.

Since Nydegger's arrival in 2020, the Swiss Ski Association has invested heavily in its athletes and infrastructure, increasing the number of athletes by 30 percent, staff by 20 percent, and financial efforts by 25 percent. The results of these efforts are now evident as the Swiss downhillers continue to dominate, heading into the World Championships with confidence. Enditem

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