Swiss Skier Franjo von Allmen Claims Historic Downhill Gold at Milan Cortina Games

Swiss skier Franjo von Allmen secured the first gold medal of the Milan Cortina Games in the Olympic downhill event on Saturday in Bormio, Italy.

Von Allmen completed the challenging Stelvio course in 1 minute, 51.61 seconds.

Podium Finishes and Race Highlights

Italy's Giovanni Franzoni earned the silver medal, while his teammate Dominik Paris, 36, took the bronze. This result moved Switzerland's Marco Odermatt off the podium.

A New Chapter in Swiss Downhill Legacy

Von Allmen's victory maintains a recent Swiss legacy in the Olympic downhill, following Beat Feuz's gold at the 2022 Beijing Games before his retirement. The 24-year-old von Allmen, who also won the downhill at last winter's world championships in Austria, is known to be a friendly rival and friend of Odermatt.

Standout Performances: Rising Stars and Veteran Resilience

Franzoni's Breakout Season

Giovanni Franzoni, also 24, is experiencing a breakout season. He previously won a World Cup super-G in Wengen, Switzerland, on January 16, and followed that with a downhill victory in Kitzbühel, Austria, the following week.

Paris's Long-Awaited Olympic Medal

Dominik Paris, a veteran racer, achieved his first Olympic medal in his fifth Winter Games. Paris has previously won seven World Cup races on the Bormio course. He is also the vocalist for the heavy metal band "Rise of Voltage."

American Showing

American racer Kyle Negomir finished in 10th place, marking the top U.S. performance in the event.