Italian skier Giovanni Franzoni continued his impressive World Cup season by clinching victory on the famed Streif course in Kitzbuhel, Austria. This win came just two weeks ahead of the downhill event at the upcoming Winter Olympics in his home country.
Franzoni’s recent triumph in Kitzbuhel follows his first career win in a super-G event at Wengen. Despite being a former junior world champion in downhill, super-G, and combined events, Franzoni had not previously secured a spot on a World Cup podium. His success this season is even more poignant as it comes after the tragic death of his close friend and former roommate, Matteo Franzoso, during preseason training in Chile.
During Saturday’s race, Franzoni set an early pace that proved unbeatable despite strong challenges from other competitors. He narrowly edged out world champion Marco Odermatt by a mere 0.07 seconds, denying Odermatt his first victory in this prestigious race.
Maxence Muzaton finished in third place, briefly leading Franzoni during his run before falling short by 0.39 seconds. Canada’s Cam Alexander placed 14th, with last year’s winner Jack Crawford finishing in 23rd position.
In a closely contested race, Franzoni showcased his skill and determination on the challenging Streif course. The event, part of the Hahnenkamm weekend, drew a large crowd of 45,000 spectators, including notable figures like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jurgen Klopp, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The weekend’s races offer significant prize money, with the winners taking home 101,000 euros ($119,000 US).
The World Cup action at Kitzbuhel will conclude with a slalom event on Sunday, capping off an exciting and competitive weekend of alpine skiing.