Franzoni Wins Kitzbuhel Downhill 2026
In a stunning display of skill and determination, Italian skier Giovanni Franzoni claimed victory in the prestigious Kitzbühel downhill race on Saturday, adding another exclamation point to his breakout World Cup season. The race, held on the iconic Streif course, took place just two weeks before the downhill event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina.
A Breakout Season for Franzoni
Franzoni's triumph in Kitzbühel came just eight days after his first career win in a super-G at the storied World Cup resort of Wengen. The 24-year-old Italian, a former junior world champion in downhill, super-G, and combined events, had not previously been on a World Cup podium before last month, when he placed third in a super-G in Italy.
Overcoming Tragedy
The victory is particularly significant as Franzoni earned his first World Cup win just four months after his close friend and former roommate, Matteo Franzoso, died in a crash during preseason training in Chile. This tragic loss has added emotional weight to Franzoni's recent successes.
A Thrilling Race on the Streif Course
On Saturday, Franzoni set the pace as the second starter. Several racers clocked faster split times, but no one was able to maintain the advantage on the challenging course. Franzoni edged out world champion and overall World Cup leader Marco Odermatt by 0.07 seconds, extending the Swiss star's wait for his first win in the marquee race for at least another year.
Close Competition
Third-place finisher Maxence Muzaton, a late starter with bib 29, also led Franzoni during his run, but the Frenchman ultimately came up 0.39 short, bumping Franzoni's Italian teammate Florian Schieder off the podium and into fourth. Odermatt, who had won three of the previous four downhills this season, led Franzoni for half of his downhill run but lost time in the challenging final section of the Streif.
Emotional Victories
After finishing, Odermatt, who had won the super-G on the same hill Friday, leaned on his ski poles and buried his head in his hands in apparent disappointment. In contrast, Franzoni blew his cheeks in relief while watching from the leader's box. Franzoni, who placed 14th in his debut in the Kitzbühel downhill a year ago, led both training runs this week and confirmed his strong form with a gutsy run down one of the most frightening courses on the World Cup.
Challenging Conditions
Skiing in overcloud conditions, racers didn't fully match their speed from training, when they had perfect visibility under crisp-clear blue skies. During training, Franzoni even came close to the record for the fastest run down the Streif, set at 1 minute, 51.58 seconds by Austria's Fritz Strobl in 1997.
Swiss Contender's Near Win
The next starter after Odermatt, Swiss teammate Franjo von Allmen, led Franzoni at each of the first five checkpoints, by one-fifth of a second at the most. However, von Allmen lost his advantage when he nearly skied out before the final jump, the Mausefalle, which was the site of multiple crashes during training. This near miss underscores the extreme difficulty and danger of the Streif course.
Looking Ahead to the Olympics
With this victory, Franzoni is now poised to make a significant impact at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina. His performance in Kitzbühel not only highlights his growing prowess on the World Cup circuit but also sets the stage for what could be a historic Olympic campaign. Fans and competitors alike will be watching closely to see if Franzoni can continue his remarkable run of success on the world's biggest stage.
Conclusion
Giovanni Franzoni's win in the Kitzbühel downhill race is a testament to his skill, determination, and resilience. As he prepares for the upcoming Olympics, the Italian skier has proven that he is a force to be reckoned with on the World Cup circuit. His performance in Kitzbühel will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the highlights of his burgeoning career.
