In Bormio, Canadian ski athletes experienced a challenging day at the Olympic men’s downhill event, where the competition was dominated by Swiss and Italian skiers. Swiss world champion Franjo von Allmen clinched the gold medal with a remarkable performance, navigating the Stelvio course in just 1:51.61. The podium was rounded out by Italians Giovanni Franzoni and Dominik Paris, who finished second and third respectively, marking a significant moment for the host nation's skiing elite.

In terms of the Canadian contingent, Toronto's James (Jack) Crawford emerged as the top performer, ending the race in ninth place with a time of 1:53.00. Other Canadian participants included North Vancouver's Cameron Alexander, who finished 14th, and Jeffrey Read from Canmore, Alberta, who took 25th. Despite showcasing their talents, the Canadian skiers were left to reflect on missed opportunities and expressed feelings of disappointment about their performances, especially in front of a global audience.

While Canadian athletes like Read celebrated the honor of representing their country in the Olympics, there was a pervasive sense of frustration among his teammates, particularly over their inability to compete effectively against the top finishers from Switzerland and Italy. The results call into question the preparation and strategy of the Canadian skiing team, as they aim to rebound in future events while navigating the pressures of Olympic competition.