Franjo von Allmen Clinches Gold in Olympic Downhill at Milan Cortina
In a thrilling start to the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, Swiss skier Franjo von Allmen emerged victorious in the men’s downhill event held in Bormio, Italy. Von Allmen completed the challenging Stelvio course with a time of 1 minute, 51.61 seconds, securing the first gold medal of the Games.
The 24-year-old Swiss athlete managed to hold off a strong challenge from Italy’s Giovanni Franzoni, who claimed the silver medal. Franzoni’s compatriot, the seasoned competitor Dominik Paris, completed the podium by taking the bronze, pushing Marco Odermatt of Switzerland out of medal contention.
This victory continues Switzerland’s dominance in Olympic downhill skiing, following Beat Feuz’s triumph at the 2022 Beijing Games. Von Allmen, who is often overshadowed by his compatriot Odermatt—a four-time overall World Cup champion—has proven himself as a formidable force on the slopes. The two maintain a friendly rivalry, often sharing course strategies with each other.
Von Allmen’s recent success builds on his world championship downhill victory in Austria last winter, indicating his growing prowess in the sport.
The event drew large crowds of enthusiastic fans, with significant support for local favorites Franzoni and Paris. Franzoni, who hails from Manerba del Garda, located around 200 kilometers from Bormio, is enjoying a standout season. The 24-year-old recently won a World Cup super-G in Wengen, Switzerland, and followed that up with a downhill win in Kitzbühel, Austria.
Dominik Paris, a veteran skier with seven World Cup victories on the Bormio course, secured his first Olympic medal in what is his fifth Winter Games. Paris, from Val d’Ultimo, is known for his prowess on home snow and his musical talents as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band “Rise of Voltage.”
In a notable performance, American skier Kyle Negomir finished in 10th place, marking the highest finish for a U.S. athlete in the event.
For more updates on alpine skiing, visit AP Alpine Skiing. For additional coverage of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, follow AP Olympics.
