Italy’s Giovanni Franzoni edged Marco Odermatt to a thrilling men’s downhill victory at the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup in Kitzbühel, Austria, on Saturday, 24 January.
An enormous crowd roared on the skiers from start to finish in mild conditions on the famous course, with the finish area awash with Swiss flags. There was also a touch of celebrity to the prestigious event, with movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger in the stands and former Liverpool Football Club manager Jurgen Klopp in the start box.
Franzoni, 24, was aggressive from the start, taking as many risks as he could in the icy first turns to shave milliseconds off this time, eventually crossing the line in 1:52:31.
He watched on nervously as Beijing 2022 Olympic gold medallist Marco Odermatt, fresh from his success in yesterday’s Super G, blasted out of the blocks to try and take his first downhill win on this course.
Underlining his fine form ahead of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, the Swiss star was ahead of Franzoni at the mid-point of the course but lost some time on the transitions and, despite a huge push at the end, finished 0.07s behind to seal a third runner-up finish in Kitzbühel.
Tears started flowing for Franzoni in the leader’s chair, who dedicated his first win earlier in the season to one of his best friends Matteo Franzoso, who tragically died in a training crash in September 2025.
Third went to Maxence Muzaton from France.
“It is crazy. I am shaking right now. This is only the second time I race here. I felt the energy of the crowd and the slope. I skied really well. Just crazy,” Franzoni told German broadcaster ZDF.
“When asked about what this means for home Games. Right now I just want to enjoy this race right now but I will arrive at the Olympics with a lot of confidence. I need to try and stay calm there.”
More to follow.