Swiss Skier Franjo von Allmen Claims Olympic Downhill Gold
The first gold medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics has been awarded in men’s downhill skiing, with Switzerland’s Franjo von Allmen taking the top spot. The 24-year-old racer delivered a sensational performance on the legendary Stelvio course in Bormio, Italy, securing his first Olympic title.
This victory marks a significant achievement for von Allmen, who is a double world champion, having previously won gold in the downhill and team combined events in 2025. It’s a particularly poignant moment for the skier, coming in his Olympic debut.
The triumph is also deeply connected to personal tragedy. According to reports, von Allmen faced a potential end to his ski career at age 17 following the sudden death of his father, Kurt Fritz von Allmen. The family experienced financial difficulties in the wake of the loss, threatening his ability to continue competing.
Italy celebrated a strong showing as well, with Giovanni Franzoni securing the silver medal, finishing just 0.2 seconds behind von Allmen. Dominik Paris claimed the bronze, earning his first Olympic medal after participating in five Winter Games.
Despite being the overall World Cup leader, Marco Odermatt of Switzerland finished fourth, missing out on a medal. He ended up seven-tenths of a second behind von Allmen and two-tenths behind Paris. Odermatt had previously won three of six downhill races this season.
Von Allmen’s winning run was characterized by precision and speed on a challenging course. He achieved the fastest time in three of the six sectors. He efficiently corrected a slight deficit in the initial section, navigated the traverse with directness, and soared an impressive 53 meters during the “San Pietro” jump. The run was described as flawless, ultimately leading to the gold medal.
German ski expert Felix Neureuther, speaking on ARD, praised von Allmen’s performance, stating, “This young man with this brutality and conviction to dare it. What an athlete. Fantastic.”
Von Allmen succeeds Beat Feuz of Switzerland, who won Olympic downhill gold at the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing. With von Allmen’s victory, Switzerland once again claims the title of downhill king.
Germany’s sole competitor, Simon Jocher, finished 19th. He was subsequently overtaken by Sam Morse of the USA and Martin Cater of Slovenia, dropping to 21st place.
