Giovanni Franzoni Wins the Legendary Downhill Race on the Streif in Kitzbuehel

Following his Super-G triumph in Wengen, 24-year-old Italian skier Giovanni Franzoni secured his second Alpine Ski World Cup victory in the legendary Streif Downhill in Kitzbuehel. After an impressive run, Franzoni finished just 0.7 seconds ahead of Marco Odermatt, who once again failed to win on the Streif. Frenchman Maxence Muzaton took third place, 0.39 seconds behind Franzoni.

Franzoni, who had set the favorite status after the two fastest training times in the Downhill, claimed his fourth podium finish and first Downhill win in the World Cup.

Italian skiers have featured on a podium in four consecutive World Cup Downhill races: Dominik Paris was third in the first race in Val Gardena, Florian Schieder was third in the second Val Gardena Downhill, and Giovanni Franzoni claimed third in Wengen and first in Kitzbuehel. This is only one race short of the team’s longest streak of five consecutive World Cup Downhill podiums, achieved back in the 1996-1997 winter season.

“It’s unbelievable, just my second time here to be first. I was really looking forward to the race. It’s the greatest sporting moment of my life. It’s a crazy day because every downhill skier wants to win here; it’s everyone’s dream. I did it, it’s unbelievable. Today I fully attacked from start to finish. After the Lärchenschuss jump, I found a line that no one else managed,” Franzoni said.

Two time-defending Downhill Crystal Globe winner Marco Odermatt has the best start to a Downhill season in his career, with three wins in Beaver Creek, Val Gardena, and Wengen, but once again failed to claim victory in the iconic Streif.

"I feel stupid that I can be that disappointed about second place, here in Kitzbühel, but we all knew that today, victory was my big goal, my big dream. Everything else, I knew beforehand, would be a disappointment. And then, of course, finishing second isn't what you want to see," said Odermatt. "I saw Giovanni’s run and knew I needed a perfect run from me, and that’s what I delivered, my best run on the Streif. It hurts almost more when a perfect run is still just a few hundredths of a second short," Odermatt said.

After today's podium, Marco Odermatt became the fifth skier to break the 100-World Cup podium mark, now tied with Henrik Kristoffersen and Marc Girardelli. Only Marcel Hirscher (138) and Ingemar Stenmark (155) have finished in the top three more often.

Marco Odermatt is leading the 2025-2026 World Cup Downhill standings after five races with 460 points. Franjo von Allmen is second with 295. Giovanni Franzoni is in third place with 216.

Starting with bib number 29, Maxence Muzaton puts in an incredible run, setting one sector-best time after another. At times, the Frenchman was half a second ahead, but he threw away a potential victory with a mistake in the traverse. However, Muzaton quickly regained his momentum and flew onto the podium. The 35-year-old finished in the top three again, nine years after his only previous podium finish, second in the Wengen Combined.

"I'd say I'm a little surprised. I've had good results in Kitzbühel before. I finished fifth twice in 2020 and 2024, and 7th in 2025. I knew I could be fast here. But knowing that and actually doing it is quite different. Deep down, I knew I could do it," said Muzaton.

It was a historic defeat for the local team, who recorded their worst result in World Cup history in a Kitzbuehel Downhill. Vincent Kriechmayr was the best Austrian, finishing in 13th place. Until today, the worst result for the Austrian Team was Matthias Mayer's eighth place in 2017.