Franjo von Allmen’s Golden Run: A New Era for Alpine Skiing?
Franjo von Allmen of Switzerland is rapidly becoming a dominant force in Alpine skiing, securing gold in the men’s downhill at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games. This victory, completed in 1:51.61, marks the first gold medal of the games and positions von Allmen as a key athlete to watch. Italy’s Giovanni Franzoni claimed silver with a time of 1:51.81, and Dominik Paris took bronze at 1:52.11.
The Rise of a Swiss Skiing Star
Von Allmen’s success isn’t isolated. He has continued to add to his medal count, winning gold in the Super-G as well, bringing his total to three gold medals in the games so far. This impressive performance highlights a potential shift in the landscape of Alpine skiing, with von Allmen emerging as a leading competitor.
Italian Disappointment and a Historic Drought
Despite Franzoni’s silver medal, the Italian team faced disappointment. Dominik Paris experienced a setback when his ski detached early in his run, forcing him to retire. Italy has yet to win a medal in the men’s downhill event since its introduction to the Olympics in 1988, with previous best results being fourth-place finishes. This continues a long-standing challenge for Italian skiers in this discipline.
New Events and Team Dynamics
The 2026 games also saw the debut of the men’s team combined event, where Switzerland, with von Allmen and Tanguy Nef, secured gold with a cumulative time of 2:44.04. This event pairs a country’s top downhill and slalom skiers, adding a new dimension to Olympic skiing. Austria and Switzerland both earned silver medals in the team combined, finishing with the same time.
American Performances and Future Prospects
Kyle Negomir was the highest-ranking American in the men’s downhill, finishing 10th. River Radamus is expected to compete in the giant slalom on February 14th. The U.S. Team finished 19th in the team combined event.
Live Race Updates and Ongoing Competition
The competition continued with several other racers taking to the course. Mattia Casse of Italy finished last with a time significantly behind the leaders. Marco Odermatt of Switzerland secured a third-place finish in 1:25.60, while Christof Innerhofer of Italy finished in 1:26.50.
FAQ
Q: Who won the men’s downhill at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games?
A: Franjo von Allmen of Switzerland won the gold medal.
Q: What is the men’s team combined event?
A: It’s a new Olympic event that pairs a country’s top downhill and slalom skiers, with the fastest combined time winning.
Q: Has Italy ever won a medal in the men’s downhill?
A: No, Italy has not yet won a medal in the men’s downhill event at the Olympics.
Q: What is the significance of the Stelvio slope?
A: The Stelvio slope is known as a technically demanding and challenging downhill course.
Did you know? Franjo von Allmen is the first athlete to claim multiple gold medals at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games.
Pro Tip: Preserve an eye on River Radamus in the upcoming giant slalom event – he’s considered the best technical racer for the U.S. Team.
Stay tuned for more updates from the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics! Share your thoughts on von Allmen’s performance in the comments below, and explore our other articles for in-depth coverage of the games.
