Switzerland's Franjo von Allmen secured a commanding victory in the men's World Cup downhill at Crans-Montana, beating Italy's Dominik Paris by 0.65 seconds and marking his second win at the venue. American Ryan Cochran-Siegle claimed third place, 0.70 seconds behind, in the final race before the 2026 Winter Olympics. The event, held amid tributes to a recent local tragedy, provided a morale boost for the Swiss resort.
On February 1, 2026, in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, Franjo von Allmen (SUI) triumphed in the men's downhill World Cup, clocking 1:55.00 to win by 0.65 seconds over Dominik Paris (ITA) and 0.70 seconds ahead of Ryan Cochran-Siegle (USA). This marked von Allmen's second downhill victory of the 2025-26 season—following Val Gardena in December—and his second consecutive win at Crans-Montana, where he also prevailed last year.
The race, the last before the Milan-Cortina Olympics, unfolded under sunny conditions. Paris, 36, secured his 52nd career podium, noting, "I had a really good run... But I beat Odie [Marco Odermatt] today and that's a good feeling." Cochran-Siegle, from Burlington, Vermont, earned his fifth career podium and second of the season after Beaver Creek, saying, "Definitely happy. It's an amazing slope but a challenge... I was just so focused on enjoying it."
Marco Odermatt (SUI), the overall World Cup leader and Olympic favorite, finished fourth at +0.79 seconds, ending his streak of eight podiums in downhills. Other notable results included Bryce Bennett (USA) in 18th, his season best, while Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (NOR) returned from injury to place 40th.
The event was interrupted for nearly 30 minutes when Chilean skier Henrik von Appen crashed and was airlifted to medical care; no immediate condition update was available. Held a month after a New Year's Eve bar fire that killed 40 people and injured 115 in Crans-Montana, the weekend featured subdued celebrations. Signs reading "Our thoughts are with you" replaced sponsor banners, and festivities like bib draws were canceled. The prior day's women's super-G win by Malorie Blanc (SUI) added to the Swiss successes, lifting local spirits.
Von Allmen, expressing confidence for the Olympics, said, "I really like the slope... It gives a lot of confidence and I'll try to show also my best skiing in Bormio." The Olympic men's downhill is set for February 7 in Bormio, Italy, opening the alpine program.
