swiss skier franjo von allmen shocks field with olympic downhill gold in bormio
Bormio, zaterdag, 7 februari 2026.
Franjo von Allmen claimed Olympic gold in the men’s downhill at Bormio, conquering the demanding Stelvio course in 1:51.61. The 24-year-old Swiss skier held off home favorites Giovanni Franzoni and Dominik Paris, who took silver and bronze in front of a roaring Italian crowd. Von Allmen’s victory stunned pre-race favorite and compatriot Marco Odermatt, who finished fourth despite leading the World Cup standings. This triumph marks von Allmen’s rise from junior success to the sport’s highest level, completing a remarkable personal journey that began with crowdfunding his career years ago. His calm composure under immense pressure defined the day’s drama.
swiss skier franjo von allmen shocks field with olympic downhill gold in bormio
In Bormio, Italy, Swiss skier Franjo von Allmen won the first gold medal of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in the men’s downhill event [1]. He completed the challenging Stelvio course in 1:51.61, securing victory ahead of Italian athletes Giovanni Franzoni and Dominik Paris [2]. Von Allmen, aged 24, emerged as an unexpected champion, overtaking pre-race favorite and compatriot Marco Odermatt, who finished fourth [3]. The Stelvio piste spans 3.442 kilometers with a vertical drop exceeding 1,000 meters and reaches speeds near 150 km/h [4].
italian hopes shine with dual podium finishes
Home nation Italy celebrated double success as Giovanni Franzoni claimed silver with a time of 1:51.81, just 0.002 seconds behind von Allmen [5]. Veteran skier Dominik Paris captured bronze in 1:52.11, marking his first Olympic medal across five appearances [6]. Paris previously won six World Cup downhills on the same Stelvio track [7]. Franzoni recently won the prestigious Hahnenkamm downhill in Kitzbühel, signaling strong form heading into the Games [8]. Both expressed pride at delivering medals for their country on home snow [9].
von allemens path from crowdfunding to olympic glory
Franjo von Allmen’s victory completes a dramatic ascent in alpine skiing [10]. After losing his father during adolescence, he launched a crowdfunding campaign at age 17 to finance his athletic development [11]. His breakthrough came in 2025 with his first World Cup win, followed by claiming the 2026 World Championship title in Crans-Montana [12]. That victory positioned him as a rising force alongside teammate Marco Odermatt, who leads the overall World Cup rankings in downhill, super-G, and giant slalom [13]. Celebrating with a Simmental cow tribute, referencing a Swiss cattle breed, von Allmen dedicated his performance to perseverance and joy in sport [14].
odermatt left empty handed despite dominant season
Marco Odermatt entered the competition as the season leader in downhill, super-G, and giant slalom World Cup standings [15]. Despite posting a strong run, he missed the podium by 0.70 seconds, finishing fourth [16]. Odermatt stated post-race that he could not identify errors in his technique, acknowledging von Allmen’s flawless execution [17]. “If Franjo doesn’t make a mistake, he’s simply very difficult to beat,” Odermatt said, offering immediate congratulations [18]. As defending Olympic champion in giant slalom, Odermatt remains a key contender in upcoming events [19].
downhill drama sets stage for women’s competition
The men’s downhill concluded amid thick fog that threatened delays, highlighting hazardous conditions on the Stelvio slope [20]. Attention now shifts to Cortina d’Ampezzo, where the women’s downhill is scheduled for February 12 [21]. Notable anticipation surrounds American legend Lindsey Vonn, who plans to compete despite tearing her anterior cruciate ligament days prior [22]. Former World Cup standout Vonn returned from injury in January but faces significant physical hurdles [23]. Upcoming events include team combined and super-G races from February 9 to 12 [24].