Bormio, Italy – marked a historic day at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, as Switzerland’s Franjo von Allmen secured the first gold medal in the men’s downhill alpine skiing event. The victory was shadowed by a remarkable performance from the Italian team, with Giovanni Franzoni claiming silver and Dominik Paris taking bronze on home snow at the Stelvio course.
Von Allmen, 24, completed the course in , a time that proved just enough to hold off the strong challenge from the Italian duo. Franzoni finished a mere behind, while Paris trailed by . This marks the first time in Olympic history that two Italian men have shared the podium in the downhill event.
The result is particularly significant for Dominik Paris, a veteran of the sport competing in his fifth Winter Games. His bronze medal represents a culmination of years of dedication and a long-awaited Olympic achievement. The 36-year-old Paris, often referred to as the “King of Bormio” due to his consistent success on the Stelvio course, finally realized his Olympic dream.
“The Stelvio requires a lot of skills,” Paris explained, as reported by sources. “It’s one of the most dangerous slopes on the circuit. Being here for the first time for an Olympic race, maybe it’s not for every athlete.” This sentiment highlights the challenging nature of the course and the skill required to navigate it successfully.
Franzoni’s performance was equally impressive, particularly given it was his Olympic debut. Having recently won the Kitzbuehel downhill just two weeks prior, the 24-year-old demonstrated composure and skill on the Olympic stage. He described his approach to the race, focusing on maintaining speed through each turn. “At the start, I was thinking about trying to find speed in every turn,” Franzoni said. “After Canalino Sertorelli, I had a moment where I thought, ‘Okay, right now I’m racing.’ I tried to ski this technical part in the middle well, and I did.”
Despite a strong effort, Franzoni narrowly missed out on the gold medal. He acknowledged a mistake during training on the Carcentina section of the course and fatigue towards the end of his run. “After the Carcentina, I did a mistake during the training. I was thinking about that also. Maybe I was too early. After the San Pietro jump, I was thinking about my legs. I was tired and I tried to push myself to the limit to make the difference in the last part. I did, but not enough for the gold.”
The men’s downhill race also featured the smallest field in Olympic history, with only 36 athletes competing. This relatively small number of participants adds to the significance of the Italian team’s double podium finish.
Von Allmen’s victory continues a strong tradition for Switzerland in the men’s downhill event. Beat Feuz won the gold medal at the 2022 Beijing Games before retiring, and Von Allmen has now successfully carried on that legacy. The two skiers share a friendly rivalry, exchanging course information while still maintaining a competitive edge.
The success of the Italian team is expected to galvanize national support for the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. The silver and bronze medals represent Italy’s first Olympic medals in men’s downhill since Christof Innerhofer’s silver in 2014, marking a significant moment for the nation’s alpine skiing program. The atmosphere in Bormio was electric, with the home crowd enthusiastically supporting their athletes.
The competition underscores the enduring appeal of downhill skiing, a discipline demanding both physical prowess and technical precision. The Stelvio course, known for its challenging terrain, proved a formidable test for the athletes, ultimately rewarding Von Allmen’s skill, and consistency. The event sets a high bar for the remainder of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, promising further excitement and competition in the days to come.
