Swiss Skier Franjo von Allmen Claims Surprise Downhill Gold at 2026 Winter Olympics
In a breathtaking upset at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Switzerland's Franjo von Allmen captured the men's downhill gold medal with a flawless performance on the legendary Stelvio course. The 24-year-old skier attacked the demanding piste with exceptional precision and blistering speed, clocking a winning time of 1:51.61 to secure the first gold medal of the Games.
A Stunning Victory Over Pre-Race Favorite Marco Odermatt
The race unfolded as a breakthrough moment for the young Swiss athlete, who surpassed all expectations by outperforming his heavily favored teammate, Marco Odermatt. Odermatt, who has dominated men's Alpine skiing for several years, was widely anticipated to claim victory in this blue-riband event but ultimately finished fourth, unable to match the winning pace despite a strong run.
Von Allmen maintained remarkable composure throughout the challenging downhill course, which is widely regarded as one of the toughest tracks in Alpine skiing. He executed a near-perfect run, carrying speed across every section of the sunlit piste and making hardly any errors.
Italy Celebrates Double Podium Finish on Home Snow
While Switzerland celebrated the gold, Italy enjoyed a triumphant moment on home snow with two medals. Giovanni Franzoni thrilled approximately 7,000 home fans by claiming the silver medal, finishing just 0.20 seconds behind von Allmen. Veteran skier Dominik Paris, known as the "king of Stelvio" due to multiple previous wins on the track, secured bronze with a time 0.50 seconds back from the winner.
The Italian team had hoped for a dream start to the Games in front of their supporters, and Franzoni briefly appeared capable of victory before the Swiss skier crossed the finish line faster.
Post-Race Reactions from the Podium Finishers
After his remarkable victory, von Allmen struggled to describe the moment, comparing it to a scene from a movie. He explained that his success stemmed from staying relaxed in the morning, enjoying the skiing experience, and combining everything he had learned during training runs.
"I was completely overwhelmed by the victory and found it difficult to express my feelings," von Allmen said. "The moment felt almost unreal. I approached the race calmly, focused on keeping positive energy from training, and tried to enjoy myself while putting every part of my run together."
Meanwhile, Odermatt admitted disappointment with his fourth-place finish, though he noted that his skiing felt good and he wouldn't change much about his run. "The result was frustrating even though my performance felt solid," he acknowledged. "I skied the way I intended, but the final time was simply not quick enough compared with my rivals."
Significance of the Victory for Switzerland and Alpine Skiing
This stunning victory confirms Franjo von Allmen as a new Olympic star and provides Switzerland with an early boost in the Games medal count. The result also reshapes the narrative in men's Alpine skiing, demonstrating that even dominant favorites like Odermatt can be challenged on the sport's biggest stage.
The opening Alpine skiing event of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics delivered unexpected drama and excitement, setting the tone for what promises to be a memorable competition. While Italy celebrated two medals in their home Games, it was Switzerland's young contender who emerged as the surprise champion on one of skiing's most demanding courses.
