The downhill event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Bormio had a rocky start for the French competitors, with Maxence Muzaton experiencing a significant fall and Nils Alphand narrowly avoiding a similar fate. Muzaton, who had previously secured a third-place finish in Kitzbühel, fell behind crucially in his run, leading to a disappointing slide that ended his hopes in what might be his final Olympics at the age of 35.

Muzaton’s fall was particularly notable, as it came while he was attempting to push for a top time, and he lost control just shy of the halfway mark, trailing by a considerable 1.5 seconds. His tumble, while it did not result in physical injury, was a heavy blow to his aspirations as he sought to make a memorable impression in his Olympic career.

Following Muzaton, Nils Alphand took to the slopes with the hopes of redeeming French skiing in the event but faced significant pressure knowing the fate of his teammate. The article captures the tension and challenges that the athletes faced on an unforgiving course that has historically tested ski legends. The outcomes highlight the unpredictability of Olympic competition.