Swiss Skier Franjo von Allmen Claims Historic First Gold at Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
In a stunning display of speed and skill, Switzerland's Franjo von Allmen captured the first gold medal of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, triumphing in the men's downhill alpine skiing event on Saturday, February 7, 2026. The victory came just hours after the Games officially opened with a glittering ceremony across Italy, setting the stage for an electrifying start to the competition.
Dominant Performance on the Fearsome Stelvio Course
Under bright sunshine at the Stelvio Ski Centre in Bormio, reigning world champion Von Allmen showcased his prowess by hitting breathtaking speeds of 145 kilometers per hour (90 miles per hour). He clocked a winning time of 1 minute and 51.61 seconds down the challenging Stelvio course, which is renowned for its steep and treacherous terrain. This remarkable achievement not only secured the inaugural gold of the Games but also highlighted his status as a top contender in alpine skiing.
Von Allmen's performance was particularly impressive as he outpaced his Swiss teammate, pre-race favorite Marco Odermatt, who could only manage a fourth-place finish. The 24-year-old skier also denied the host nation, Italy, a gold medal by finishing ahead of the Italian duo. Giovanni Franzoni claimed the silver medal, trailing by a mere 0.20 seconds, while Dominik Paris took bronze, finishing half a second behind Von Allmen.
Opening Ceremony and Olympic Spirit
The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics kicked off on Friday with a spectacular opening ceremony that culminated in the lighting of two cauldrons. One was ignited at Milan's Arch of Peace by Italian skiing legends Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni, while the other was lit in Cortina d'Ampezzo by current star Sofia Goggia. This dual-lighting symbolized the unity and spread of the Games across the Italian Alps, with Cortina hosting women's alpine skiing events approximately 400 kilometers from Milan.
However, the ceremony was not without controversy. U.S. Vice President JD Vance was booed by the crowd when he appeared on screen, though the American team received loud applause. In response, International Olympic Committee communications director Mark Adams emphasized the importance of fair play, stating, "We're largely a sports organization and seeing the US team cheered as they were by the audience, fair play, that was fantastic."
Other Highlights from the First Full Day of Competition
The opening day of events saw several other notable performances and stories unfold across various disciplines:
- Alpine Skiing: American ski legend Lindsey Vonn, 41, defied a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament to complete her second training run in the women's downhill, keeping her dream of an Olympic medal alive as she prepares for Sunday's final.
- Freeskiing: China's double Olympic champion Eileen Gu faced a scare in the women's slopestyle qualifiers, losing balance on her first run but recovering with a score of 75.30 in her second to secure a spot in Monday's final. Switzerland's Mathilde Gremaud topped the qualifiers with a smooth run scoring 76.68.
- Figure Skating: The team event continued with U.S. star Ilia Malinin set to perform in the men's singles short programme, aiming to maintain America's lead after strong performances from world champion ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates. Japan held second place, propelled by Kaori Sakamoto's victory in the women's singles short programme.
- Snowboarding: China's Su Yiming began his defense of the Olympic big air crown, facing stiff competition from a strong Japanese contingent in the first snowboarding final of the Games.
As the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics progress, athletes from around the globe are poised to deliver more thrilling moments and fierce competition. Von Allmen's gold medal has set a high bar, promising an exciting and memorable Games for fans worldwide.
