Dylan Martinez/Reuters via Imagn Images

Swiss downhill racer wins first gold medal of 2026 Olympic Winter Games

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Dan Benton | Last updated Feb 7, 2026 11:35 AM ET

Switzerland’s Franjo von Allmen claimed the first gold medal of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games on Saturday, powering to victory in the men’s downhill at the iconic Stelvio course.

The 24-year-old rising star, fresh off his 2025 world downhill title, delivered a masterful run in picture-perfect conditions, finishing in 1 minute, 51.61 seconds. He edged out Italy’s Giovanni Franzoni by a narrow 0.20 seconds, who won silver, thrilling the home crowd.

HISTORY MADE

The first #GOLD medal of Milano Cortina 2026 belongs to Franjo VON ALLMEN.

1:51.61 seconds of pure perfection down the mountain. The men's alpine skiing downhill has crowned its champion!

What a way to open these Games! @fisalpine | @swissteam |… pic.twitter.com/0l1LPE7xI8
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) February 7, 2026

Italy’s veteran Dominik Paris, 36, secured bronze with a strong performance on a course he knows well, having won multiple World Cup races here. Paris displaced Switzerland’s star Marco Odermatt from the podium.

Von Allmen, often overshadowed by teammate Odermatt, showcased poise on the bumpy, slick, technically demanding 3.2-kilometer slope, navigating tricky turns and massive jumps like the famed San Pietro with precision. His triumph continues Switzerland’s recent dominance in the Olympic downhill, following Beat Feuz’s 2022 gold before his retirement.

The event kicked off the Games’ medal tally, with packed stands roaring for the Italians’ successes amid the Swiss breakthrough.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: