Franjo von Allmen of Switzerland Wins Men’s Downhill, First Gold Medal of Milan Cortina Olympics

Switzerland's Franjo von Allmen (C), gold medal in an alpine ski men's downhill race, celebrates with silver medalist Italy's Giovanni Franzoni (L) and bronze medalist Italy's Dominik Paris at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Bormio, Italy, on Feb. 7, 2026. Rebecca Blackwell/AP Photo

BORMIO, Italy—Swiss racer Franjo von Allmen brought home the first gold medal at the Milan Cortina Games by winning the downhill on Saturday. It’s his first Olympic crown in his very first Olympic race.

Not so long ago, it wasn’t clear if there would be anymore “firsts” for him in ski racing. As a teenager, and after the death of his father, von Allmen didn’t have the money for racing—until a crowdfunding project helped out.