Switzerland's Franjo von Allmen scorched to victory in the men's Olympic downhill in Bormio on Saturday, winning the first gold medal of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
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Reigning world champion von Allmen hit speeds of 145km/h to clock a winning time of 1min 51.61 seconds down the testing Stelvio course.
The 24-year-old Swiss racer finished ahead of the Italian pair of Giovanni Franzoni, who was 0.20 seconds behind, and Dominik Paris (0.50).
Pre-race favourite Marco Odermatt, von Allmen's Swiss teammate, could only finish fourth.
"At the moment it feels like a movie," von Allmen said.
"My secret is to enjoy skiing! I was really relaxed in the morning and tried to keep the good feelings from the training and have fun skiing."
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Von Allmen was fast out of the blocks and duly took the lead, soaring more than 50 metres off one jump to gasps from the large crowd packed into the tribune and around one side of the finish area.
The Italians all had starting numbers in double digits, Franzoni the first of the 'tricolori' pack down.
He briefly took the lead at the third interval, leading to chants of "Giovanni" from the large number of Italian fans.
But the 24-year-old, winner of a super-G in Wengen and downhill in Kitzbuehel this season, lost that advantage in the bottom half of what is widely regarded as one of the toughest courses on the circuit.
Franzoni eventually streaked through in second place, just 0.20 seconds off Von Allmen, who was left clutching his face in relief in the leader's chair in the finish area.
Then came Paris, considered a real threat on the Stelvio course where he is a seven-time World Cup winner (six downhill, one super-G).
The 36-year-old delivered a slick run, but it was only good enough for third. It was a first Olympic medal for the Italian veteran.
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THE DEBATE © FRANCE 24
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The low-crouching von Allmen has won two World Cup downhills this season.
His performance ensured he became the fifth Swiss Olympic downhill champion since 1948 after Beat Feuz, Didier Defago, Pirmin Zurbriggen and Bernhard Russi.
Von Allmen's gold-medal victory sets a strong precedent for the Swiss men's team that dominated last year's world championships in Saalbach, Austria.
The Swiss will look to confirm their fine form in Monday's Olympic team combined before tackling the super-G on Wednesday.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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