The first gold was won by a Swiss skier, the rest of the medals went to the organizers
Swiss skier Franjo von Allmen won the first gold medal at the Milan Cortina Olympics, followed by two Italian skiers in the men's downhill event.
Swiss skier Franjo von Allmen secured the first gold medal in men's downhill skiing at the Milan Cortina Olympics with a time of 1:51.61. He was followed closely by Italian competitors Giovanni Franzoni and Dominik Paris, who finished just fractions of a second behind, demonstrating the fierce competition among the top racers. Von Allmen's strong finish after a performance that placed him fourth during the middle section of the race was crucial in clinching the gold for Switzerland.
In addition to the gold medal, the host nation Italy celebrated its own successes, earning two medals in the event, although top skier Marco Odermatt, considered the best of recent seasons, narrowly missed out, finishing in a position that did not secure him a podium spot. This result highlights the unpredictable nature of alpine skiing competitions, where a strong performance can sometimes lead to unexpected outcomes, even for leading athletes. Notable performances from racers like Alexis Monney from Switzerland and Vincent Kriechmayr from Austria further built competition complexity in this event.
The men's downhill event was one of several disciplines in this season's World Cup series where Swiss skier Marco Odermatt has excelled, although standings now show Franjo von Allmen as a rising star in the series rankings. This Olympic event not only highlights the athletic prowess of these athletes but also adds an exciting layer to the ongoing rivalries that are developing in the sport as they compete for dominance in future races.