Italy’s Giovanni Franzoni achieved a stunning victory in the 2026 FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup downhill race in Kitzbühel, Austria, on Saturday, setting the stage for a strong performance at next month’s Winter Olympics. Franzoni completed the challenging 3.3km-long Streif course in 1 minute and 52.31 seconds, narrowly defeating Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt by just 0.07 seconds. France’s Maxence Muzaton rounded out the podium, finishing 0.39 seconds behind the leader.
The win marks a significant moment in Franzoni’s career, representing only his second World Cup victory. It also comes at a crucial time as athletes prepare for the upcoming Winter Olympics, where the pressure to perform will be immense. This victory provides a substantial confidence boost for the Italian skier.
Franzoni Conquers the Legendary Kitzbühel Downhill
The Streif course in Kitzbühel is renowned as one of the most demanding and prestigious tracks in alpine skiing, often referred to as the “Hollywood of snow.” Successfully navigating its steep gradients – reaching up to 85% – and challenging jumps, including an 80-meter leap, requires exceptional skill and courage. Franzoni’s speed of 144km/h (89mph) demonstrated his ability to handle the course’s complexities.
However, the race wasn’t without emotional weight for Franzoni. He dedicated his win to his former teammate, Matteo Franzoso, who tragically died in a training accident in Chile last September. Franzoni spoke of a poignant moment at the start, acknowledging the loss and expressing a desire to honor Franzoso’s memory with the victory.
Odermatt Falls Short, Defending Champion Struggles
Marco Odermatt, fresh off a super-G win on Friday, was considered a strong contender for the downhill title. He has dominated several World Cup downhills this season, securing three wins in the four races leading up to Kitzbühel. Despite his impressive form, Odermatt has yet to claim victory in the Kitzbühel downhill, having previously finished second and third in recent years.
Meanwhile, James Crawford of Canada, the defending champion, faced a disappointing day, finishing 20th, 1.65 seconds off the pace. The challenging conditions and fierce competition clearly made defending the title a difficult task.
The race attracted a notable audience, including former Liverpool football manager Jürgen Klopp, Swedish football icon Zlatan Ibrahimović, and actor and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Schwarzenegger, a long-time admirer of the Hahnenkamm race, praised the athletes and the course, famously declaring, “I’ll be back!”
Notably, despite the course’s reputation for dangerous wipeouts, all but four of the 57 racers from 17 nations successfully completed the run. This suggests improved course preparation and athlete safety measures, though the inherent risks of the sport remain.
Franzoni’s win earned him a prize of 101,000 euros, part of a total prize pool of one million euros distributed over the three days of racing in Kitzbühel. The event underscores the financial stakes and global appeal of the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup, and the growing popularity of alpine skiing.
Looking ahead, the focus now shifts to the Winter Olympics, where Franzoni will undoubtedly be a skier to watch. The performance of other top contenders, like Odermatt, will also be closely monitored as they aim to translate World Cup success to Olympic glory. The unpredictable nature of snow conditions and the intense pressure of the Olympic stage mean that any athlete could emerge victorious, making the upcoming games highly anticipated.
FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup provides further details on the event and athlete standings. The official Olympics website will offer comprehensive coverage of the upcoming Winter Games. Kitzbühel tourism details the location and event information.
