Swiss skier Franjo von Allmen claimed gold in the men's downhill on the first day of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, ahead of Italians Giovanni Franzoni and Dominik Paris. This prestigious event at Bormio kicked off the competitions with a podium dominated by alpine skiing specialists. The French team, led by Nils Allègre in eighth place, failed to secure a medal.
The men's downhill, the first key event of the 2026 Olympics, took place on Saturday on Italy's Stelvio course in Bormio. Franjo von Allmen, 24 and competing in his first Games, delivered an exceptional run to become the inaugural champion of these Olympics, clocking an impressive time seven tenths ahead of his rivals. Behind him, 24-year-old Italian Giovanni Franzoni took silver, while veteran Dominik Paris, 36 and a seven-time World Cup winner on this track, snatched bronze.
Swiss favorite Marco Odermatt, the World Cup leader, settled for fourth place, missing his main season goal. The top seven spots were claimed by specialists: three Swiss, two Italians, and two Austrians. For the French, Nils Allègre posted the best result in eighth, 1''19 behind the winner. Nils Alphand finished 22nd after a mistake at the final gate, Alban Elezi Cannaferina 27th, and Maxence Muzaton retired after a crash.
"It's the skiing I wanted to produce," Allègre told France 2, expressing satisfaction despite no podium. Alphand lamented: "Mistakes happen in downhill." This 3,442-meter race with 1,023 meters of vertical drop lived up to expectations under sunny skies and ideal conditions.
Beyond the slopes, the day featured other events, but the downhill captured attention as the opener for Italy's home Games.
