Von Allmen Dominates Crans-Montana Downhill in Final Olympic Dress Rehearsal

Franjo von Allmen put on a masterclass of downhill skiing on Sunday, blazing down the Piste Nationale to claim victory in the final men's World Cup downhill before the Milano Cortina Olympics, and completing a remarkable weekend of Swiss dominance at a resort still healing from heartbreak.

The 24-year-old from the canton of Bern posted a time that was a staggering 0.65 seconds faster than anyone else on the mountain, winning back-to-back at Crans-Montana and claiming his fifth career World Cup downhill victory in the process. It was his second triumph of the season, following an earlier win at Val Gardena in December, and cemented his credentials as one of the most dangerous competitors on the storied Bormio Stelvio course when the Olympic downhill takes place next Saturday.

Starting 15th, von Allmen built his winning margin through sheer speed and technical precision, posting the fastest times through every critical section of the three-and-a-half-kilometre course. His run was imperious from start to finish — a display of raw talent and supreme confidence that left his rivals rooting for scraps.

"I really like the slope," von Allmen said after crossing the line. "It's pretty easy to ski but not easy to be fast, so I was impressed by myself that it was even that fast. It gives me a lot of confidence and I'll try to also show my best skiing in Bormio."

For the Italian veteran Dominik Paris, the second-place finish at 0.65 seconds back represented his best performance of the entire winter and a much-needed confidence boost heading into the Olympics. The 36-year-old speedster, preparing for what will be his fifth Olympic Games, holds a remarkable record on the Bormio Stelvio course where the Olympic downhill will be decided — he won a record six World Cup downhills there between 2012 and 2021. While he could not match von Allmen's pace on Sunday, his consistency and experience on the Olympic venue make him a genuine medal threat when it matters most.

"I had a really good run but maybe the start was not perfect," Paris reflected. "I knew Franjo is hard to beat — he's really fast on this terrain — but I beat Odi today and that's good for my confidence." The veteran's ability to remain competitive at the highest level well into his mid-thirties is a testament to his dedication and technical mastery, and his knowledge of the Stelvio should not be underestimated as the Games approach.

American Ryan Cochran-Siegle completed the podium in third, finishing 0.70 seconds behind von Allmen and returning to the top three for the first time since December. The experienced American speed specialist delivered a gutsy, committed run that showcased exactly why he remains one of the most respected competitors in the downhill arena. His podium place sent a clear message that the United States has a legitimate Olympic medal contender in the men's speed events.

Overall World Cup leader Marco Odermatt, the Swiss favourite for multiple medals at the Olympics, finished fourth — a solid result that stretched his commanding lead in the overall standings to a massive 587 points. Odermatt has won three downhills so far this season, and while Sunday's result was not a victory, fourth place on a course where Von Allmen was so dominant underscores the depth of Swiss talent in the speed disciplines. Odermatt will be expected to challenge across multiple events in Cortina, and his calm, controlled approach to a race he could not win showed the mental strength that defines his season.

The Swiss-Italian battle was the defining narrative of the day. Switzerland had five skiers finish in the top ten and Italy four, with only Cochran-Siegle breaking up what was otherwise a purely Franco-Italian affair at the summit. The two nations pushed each other relentlessly through the field, and the fierce rivalry between their respective depth of talent promises to make the Olympic speed events an enthralling contest.

Italian rising star Giovanni Franzoni, who triumphed at Kitzbühel last month, could only manage 23rd on Sunday, a disappointing result for the young talent who has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season. The Kitzbühel victory demonstrated Franzoni's potential, but the inconsistency that has characterised his campaign was evident once again on the Piste Nationale.

Von Allmen's triumph completed a weekend sweep for Switzerland at Crans-Montana, following Malorie Blanc's win in the women's super-G on Saturday. The back-to-back Swiss victories provided a much-needed lift for the troubled resort, which has been hosting events just over a month after the fatal fire in a bar that killed 40 people and injured 116 on New Year's Day. Usual festivities at World Cup venues, like public bib draws and concerts, were canceled, and the course was stripped of advertising banners, which in the finish area were replaced by white and black signs of mourning. Against that sombre backdrop, the Swiss victories offered a moment of genuine sporting joy for a community still in the grip of grief.

The weekend at Crans-Montana had begun in chaos on Friday, when the women's downhill was called off amid worsening weather conditions after three of the first six starters crashed, including Lindsey Vonn, who hurt her left knee. The American legend sat out both Saturday's super-G and Sunday's men's race, though she has since confirmed her Olympic dream remains alive.

Von Allmen now heads to Bormio as one of the clear favourites for the opening alpine event of the Milano Cortina Games. Von Allmen also won last year's World Cup downhill in Crans-Montana, which hosts the 2027 World Championships, where he will be the defending champion. His mastery of technical downhill courses, combined with the confidence of back-to-back victories, places him in an extraordinary position as the Olympic countdown begins in earnest.

Von Allmen is second to Odermatt in the downhill standings, 115 points behind his compatriot after six of nine races. While the overall downhill title remains Odermatt's to lose, Sunday's performance was a powerful reminder that when it comes to pure downhill speed, von Allmen is in a class of his own — and the Olympic Games are only six days away.