Podium Today/ GEPA pictures
The World Cup Finals opened in Kvitfjell today with the men’s downhill.
Marco Odermatt has already secured the downhill title after a dominant season, but that did little to ease the intensity today on race day.
With a finals win on the line, the field came out attacking. Italy’s Dominik Paris delivered, putting down a powerful run to take the victory.
Top Five – World Cup Downhill Standings (after today)
1st 🇨🇭 Marco Odermatt (SUI, 1997) — 706 pts
2nd 🇨🇭 Franjo von Allmen (SUI, 2001) — 515 pts
3rd 🇮🇹 Dominik Paris (ITA, 1989) — 441 points
4th 🇦🇹 Vincent Kriechmayr (AUT, 1991)— 382
5th 🇮🇹 Giovanni Frazoni (ITA, 2001)- 378
Odermatt has already secured the 2025–26 downhill Crystal Globe, confirming his dominance this season.
Despite missing the podium in the finals race, the Swiss star remained focused on the bigger picture.
“I’m not disappointed, for sure not,” Odermatt said. “Of course I wanted to be a little bit faster today. To finish the season on the podium would be nice. But after some minutes, when you get another globe, that disappointment is gone and I’m super happy about my season.”
He emphasized the consistency that defined his winter, calling it his strongest downhill campaign to date.
“This year was my most consistent downhill season. I performed in every race. Today was nearly the worst result, but otherwise I was always fighting for the podium. Super consistent, some very nice victories.”
Paris Powers to Victory on a Proven Track
Dominik Paris showed exactly why Kvitfjell has long been one of his strongest tracks.
The Italian delivered one of the most confident runs of the day, combining power with a smooth touch on the snow, especially as the warmer conditions set in toward the bottom.
Out of the gate, Paris came out firing, immediately hitting a green light and setting the fastest opening split. From there, he carried speed all the way down the course, staying composed through the middle section.
It was the bottom, however, where he made the difference. Managing the softer snow with precision, Paris posted the fastest final split to secure the win.
A four time downhill winner in Kvitfjell, he now ties seven career victories at the venue, further cementing his status as one of the most successful skiers on this track. With multiple podiums and consistent top ten finishes here, Paris once again capitalized on a hill that suits him, adding another strong result to his season.
Top 5 — World Cup Downhill Kvitfjell
1st 🇮🇹 Dominik Paris (ITA) — 1:45.37
2nd 🇨🇭Franjo von Allmen — +0.19
3rd 🇦🇹 Vincent Kriechmayr (AUT) — +0.60
4th 🇨🇭 Alexis Monney (SUI) — +0.66
5th 🇸🇮 Miha Hrobat — +0.86
Podium Round Out in Kvitfjell
Franjo von Allmen skied into second place, proving he can be fast even in conditions that do not typically suit him. The softer snow challenged him, especially in the bottom section where he got a bit wild and fought for balance, at times flailing with his arms as he searched for speed. Still, von Allmen carried good pace and worked to regain time lost up top, using strong positioning and a solid feel for the turning ski to hold it together and take second.
Franjo von Allmen spoke about his comfort on the Kvitfjell track and the atmosphere surrounding the finals.
“I really like the slope. It’s smooth and fits well with the mountain. It’s not the most difficult, but it’s really fun to ski and a fast track.”
He also pointed to the environment as a key factor.
“It’s a calm place for us athletes. The people around the race are very friendly, and for us, having the finals here is a great way to finish the season.”
Coming off a strong performance, von Allmen was pleased with his second place result.
“It was an amazing winter with ups and downs, but overall I’m really happy. And today with second place, I’m really happy with that.”
Vincent Kriechmayr rounded out the podium in third, continuing a strong finish to the season for Austria. After stepping up with a win in Courchevel, Kriechmayr once again delivered, skiing fast from the top and taking great flight off the big jump. He was smooth and aerodynamic through the middle section, but lost some time in the softer snow down low. Even so, Kriechmayr maintained his speed to the finish, finding the green light when he came through and securing third place.
Kriechmayr acknowledged the level of skiing on the day and where he stood.
“Pretty good, but I mean maybe I would find two or three tenths. But Dominik Paris is six tenths ahead and Franjo, just incredible skiing. I think third place was maximum for me today.”
He also highlighted the unique atmosphere in Kvitfjell, a venue that continues to be a favorite on tour.
“It’s just the atmosphere. We stay up on the hill, ski, train, and it’s relaxed. And for sure the slope, it’s one of our classics now. It’s always fantastic to be here.”
Key Takeaways from Kvitfjell
Miha Hrobat delivered one of the standout performances of the day from bib 1, skiing with confidence and setting the early pace as he held the leader’s chair for a significant stretch. The Slovenian is finding form at the right time, coming off a personal best 7th place in Courchevel, and showed it again with a composed run and strong flight, especially off the bottom jump. In his 134th World Cup start, Hrobat continues to build momentum heading into the end of the season.
The Swiss men’s team once again showed their depth, qualifying seven skiers into the 24 man finals and placing four inside the top seven. It is a clear reflection of the strength across their speed program, with multiple athletes capable of delivering top results on any given day. The consistency and depth make them one of the most formidable teams on the circuit right now.
The Italian team also impressed, putting six athletes into the top 24 and continuing to build momentum in their speed group. Led by veteran Dominik Paris, the Italians are blending experience with emerging talent. Younger athletes, including Giovanni Franzoni, are beginning to show real speed, signaling a strong future alongside their established leaders.
USA
It was a tough end to the downhill season for Ryan Cochran-Siegle, who finished 16th on the day. The only American in the downhill finals today.
Cochran-Siegle has had a solid season overall, landing two podiums in eight downhill starts, but was unable to find the speed needed in Kvitfjell. He looked a bit harsh on his edges in the upper section and appeared to be holding on through some of the bigger turns, which cost him time early.
A strong technician, Cochran-Siegle still showed moments of quality skiing, but it was not enough to generate a green light at the finish.
The wait for an American downhill win continues, with Bode Miller still the last to do so back in 2008.
Ryan Cochran-Siegle reflected on the challenge of adapting to the conditions in Kvitfjell.
“There’s definitely something to be found with how to ski better in these conditions. It’s fun to ski, but I need to find more commitment and more solidity through the turns.”
Looking ahead to the super G, Cochran-Siegle remained focused on execution.
“Just trying to ski well and connect the turns. I’ve felt that in super G, but tomorrow is another battle, so I’ve got to find the right skiing.”
He also noted the changing nature of the surface throughout the course.
“Up top it’s holding up pretty well, but as you get lower it starts to get looser. Still, there’s enough firmness underfoot to push against.”
Canada
It was a tough day for Cam Alexander, the lone Canadian in the field, who finished 12th and picked up points but did not find the result he was looking for.
The 2022 winner in Kvitfjell never quite found his rhythm on the track. Alexander struggled to maintain his aerodynamics and looked a bit low in the big sweeping turns, which drained his speed through key sections of the course.
As a result, he was unable to carry that speed all the way to the finish, leaving time on the hill on a track where he has previously had success.
Hintermann Bids Farewell
It was an emotional finish in Kvitfjell as Nils Hintermann took his final World Cup downhill run, marking the end of his career.
The Swiss skier, a two time winner on this track, was met at the finish by teammates and competitors alike, all there to celebrate and congratulate him. Champagne flowed in the finish area as the Swiss team surrounded him, recognizing both his career and his impact on the sport.
Hintermann has a deep connection to Kvitfjell, winning here in 2024 and sharing victory in 2022 alongside Cam Alexander. This season marks the close of a journey that included both triumph and adversity.
In 2022, Hintermann was diagnosed with lymphoid cancer after discovering a lump in his neck. He made a remarkable return in 2025, cancer free, and continued competing at the highest level. But after reflecting earlier this season in Courchevel, he made the decision to step away, feeling the balance of risk and reward had shifted.
At the bottom, surrounded by family, friends, and teammates who had traveled from Switzerland, Hintermann blew an emotional kiss to the crowd, taking in the moment.
A respected figure on the tour, he leaves the sport with the admiration of his peers and will be missed on the World Cup circuit.
Nils Hintermann reflected on both his career and the significance of ending it in Kvitfjell.
“It was a perfect finish for my career. Not always the easiest journey, but I always came back. Today was a completely different mindset, but it was fun and I’m really happy I was able to do it.”
Looking back, one moment stood above the rest.
“My most emotional result was Kitzbühel, finishing third there. Standing on that podium in front of so many people, that feeling is something I will never forget.”
Ending his career where it all began added another layer of meaning.
“I did my first World Cup training run here, so to finish here is really special. It wasn’t always an easy track for me at the beginning, but it became one I really loved. It’s fast, flowing, and you can push all the way down.”
Race results
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Analysis of the top three and North Americans
About the Author: Katie Twible
