Men’s downhill final: Franjo von Allmen wins gold in 1:51.61

Franjo von Allmen shocked the world on February 7, capturing the first gold medal of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The 24-year-old Swiss skier dominated the men’s downhill with a blazing time of 1:51.61, proving himself as Alpine skiing’s rising superstar.

Swiss Star Dominates Challenging Stelvio Course

The Stelvio slope is one of the world’s most demanding downhill courses. Bumpy sections, slick ice, tricky lighting, and the legendary San Pietro jump test every racer’s skill and nerve. Von Allmen navigated all obstacles flawlessly, carving tight turns with poise and landing jumps smoothly. His fearless approach and technical finesse in Alpine skiing’s queen event delivered the performance of a lifetime.

Pre-race favorite Marco Odermatt, the reigning Crystal Globe winner, finished a distant fourth at +0.70 seconds. Von Allmen’s victory proved that Switzerland’s depth in downhill skiing continues to dominate the sport at the highest level.

From Crowd-Funding Dreams to Olympic Glory

Von Allmen’s journey to Olympic gold is remarkable. At age 17, the Boltigen, Switzerland native nearly quit Alpine skiing after his father’s sudden death. Financial struggles threatened his dreams, but he launched a crowd-funding campaign to continue competing. His determination paid off when he debuted on the World Cup circuit in Aspen, Colorado in 2023.

Just last year, von Allmen stunned everyone by winning the 2025 World Downhill Championships, defeating favorite Odermatt. Known for his fearless risk-taking style, teammates once described him as a “crazy” skier for his aggressive approach. That boldness just earned him Olympic gold at age 24.

Italy Celebrates On Home Snow with Historic Medals

Italy’s Giovanni Franzoni claimed silver in front of his home crowd, continuing his breakout 2025-26 World Cup season. Franzoni won his first two career races, including a stunning victory at Kitzbuhel’s legendary Streif. He dedicated these performances to his friend Matteo Franzoso, an Italian skier who died tragically in a September skiing accident.

Dominik Paris, the 36-year-old “King of Bormio,” secured bronze. Paris holds a remarkable record with seven victories at his home resort, more than twice any competitor. The Italian podium sweep nearly happened when Swiss racers held the top three spots at one point, but Italy’s strong showing thrilled the Bormio crowd.

“I’m super happy, it feels like kind of a movie. I really tried to enjoy the skiing and not over-push. Just show what I can do.”

— Franjo von Allmen, Olympic Gold Medalist, in interview with NBC

American Racers Find Mixed Results at Challenging Bormio

Kyle Negomir, an Olympic first-timer from Colorado, led the American effort with a 10th place finish, an impressive leap from his starting bib position of 27. American veteran Bryce Bennett finished 13th in his final Winter Olympics, competing in front of his wife and daughter watching from Bormio. Ryan Cochran-Siegle, the 2022 Olympic silver medalist, struggled to find his rhythm and finished 18th, nearly 2 seconds behind von Allmen’s winning mark.

The demanding Stelvio course proved unforgiving for many competitors. Yet von Allmen’s mastery of this challenging venue, combined with his relentless aggression and technical skill, marks him as the new face of men’s downhill skiing heading forward.

Can Von Allmen Continue Dominating at Milan Cortina?

Franjo von Allmen has arrived as a world-class competitor and Olympic gold medalist. With his breakthrough performances at the World Championships and now Olympic gold, the question shifts from “Can he win?” to “Can anyone stop him?” Von Allmen will have more opportunities to compete in super-G and giant slalom events during these Games. The Swiss champion’s fearless style, combined with his newfound confidence after claiming the first gold of Milan Cortina 2026, suggests his remarkable story is far from complete.

Michael Brown

Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.