BORMIO, Italy — Swiss sensation Franjo von Allmen captured the first gold medal of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Saturday, delivering a masterclass performance in the men’s downhill final on the legendary Stelvio course.
On a picture-perfect day in Bormio, the 24-year-old von Allmen powered through the challenging terrain in 1 minute, 51.61 seconds. The victory marks Switzerland’s second consecutive Olympic gold in the event, following Beat Feuz’s triumph in 2022, and ends a six-Games podium drought for the nation prior to this recent surge.
The Podium: Italy Surges on Home Snow
While Switzerland took the top prize, host nation Italy celebrated a double-podium finish. Giovanni Franzoni secured the silver medal, while veteran fan-favorite Dominik Paris claimed the bronze, marking the first Olympic medal of his storied career. The Italian duo led a “clean sweep” of the top five positions alongside their Swiss counterparts, as Marco Odermatt and Alexis Monney finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
The result came as a shock to many, as pre-race favorite Marco Odermatt missed the podium entirely, finishing 0.70 seconds behind his teammate von Allmen. The Stelvio course, known for its icy surface and high-speed technical demands, lived up to its reputation as one of the most formidable tracks in alpine skiing.
North American Results
Canada’s Jack Crawford, who showed immense speed during final training sessions, posted a top-10 finish for the Maple Leaf, placing ninth overall. For the United States, Bryce Bennett finished 13th in his third Olympic appearance, leading the American contingent on a day dominated by Alpine nations.
Technical Specifications and Race Conditions
The men’s downhill is the fastest discipline in alpine skiing, with athletes reaching speeds of up to 81 mph (130 km/h). According to FIS regulations, the course featured a vertical drop exceeding 800 meters, requiring athletes to maintain an aerodynamically efficient tuck position while navigating high-G turns.
Saturday’s final was held under clear skies with excellent visibility, providing the “picture-perfect” conditions necessary for the high-risk maneuvers required on the Stelvio. The win cements Franjo von Allmen as the new face of Swiss speed skiing as the 2026 Games officially get underway.
2026 Olympic Men’s Downhill Final Standings
- Gold: Franjo von Allmen (SUI) – 1:51.61
- Silver: Giovanni Franzoni (ITA) – +0.12
- Bronze: Dominik Paris (ITA) – +0.25
- 4th: Marco Odermatt (SUI)
- 5th: Alexis Monney (SUI)