Podium / GEPA pictures
Crans-Montana delivered again with a full-throttle men’s downhill on the legendary Nationale piste, framed by blue skies, hard snow, and a roaring home crowd. Franjo von Allmen rose to the moment, feeding off the energy to lay down a fearless run and take the win in front of the Swiss faithful. Dominik Paris of Italy brought his trademark power and precision to secure second, while Ryan Cochran-Siegle capped a strong day for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, charging into third and onto the World Cup podium in a race that demanded total commitment from start to finish.
Top 5
- 1st 🇨🇭Franjo von Allmen (SUI)– bib 15-1:55.00
- 2nd 🇮🇹Dominik Paris (ITA)– bib 8- +.65
- 3rd 🇺🇸Ryan Cochran- Siegle (USA)– bib 14- +.70
- 4th 🇨🇭Marco Odermatt (SUI)– bib 10- +.70
- 5th 🇮🇹Benjamin Jacques Alliod (ITA)– bib 22- +.86
Franjo von Allmen Claims Commanding Home Victory
Fast out of the start and carrying serious speed from the beginning, Franjo von Allmen made his intentions clear immediately. He built a commanding advantage in the top section and never looked back, ultimately winning by a decisive +0.65 seconds over the rest of the field. Even as things got a little wild over the jumps and rolling terrain of the Nationale piste, von Allmen stayed committed and in control. It was a spectacular display of downhill skiing, aggressive yet precise. He nailed the line, maintained relentless speed, and showcased outstanding aerodynamics from start to finish, holding the green light with distinction the entire way down the course. The victory marks his second downhill win of the season and adds to an already impressive résumé with three World Cup downhill victories and seven podiums in the discipline.
Reflecting on the performance and the moment, von Allmen said, “Winning at home is something special. Of course this gives confidence before the Olympics, even though next week is a new slope and everything starts from zero. I’ll take the good feelings from here.”
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Paris and Cochran Siegle Round Out a Stacked Podium
Dominik Paris of Italy delivered a true masterclass in downhill skiing, combining power, precision, and composure from start to finish. Smooth, calm, and completely in control, Paris surged into the lead early after bumping teammate Florian Schieder from the top spot, immediately setting the tone with a run defined by touch and finesse. He carried speed effortlessly across the demanding terrain, selecting clean, efficient lines and letting the skis run in classic Paris fashion. Finishing +0.65 seconds behind the Swiss winner, the result adds another standout performance to a remarkable résumé that now includes 33 World Cup downhill podiums. With the Olympics on the horizon, Paris continues to spearhead a confident and fast Italian team, building momentum at exactly the right time.
Ryan Cochran Siegle charged into third to secure another podium for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team. Holding the green light through the top section, Cochran Siegle skied with confidence and flow, finding excellent aerodynamics and rhythm down the demanding Nationale. His jumps were sharp and well timed, and the run reflected the strong, fast skiing he has consistently shown at the World Cup level. He crossed the line +0.70 seconds back to claim third, marking his third World Cup downhill podium and capping a strong performance on one of the sport’s classic tracks.
Looking ahead, Cochran-Siegle emphasized staying present and embracing what comes next as the Olympic spotlight grows, balancing focus on racing with the support of family and friends. As he summed it up at the bottom, “I’m enjoying these days, staying mentally present, and I’ll take that with me as I embrace the challenge next week.”
Italy and Switzerland Flex Depth and Momentum Ahead of the Olympics
Italy once again showcased its growing strength and depth as the men’s team continues a full resurgence heading into the Olympic season. A wave of fast, young talent is pushing the established veterans to ski at an even higher level, creating internal competition that is clearly paying off. The Italians placed two athletes inside the top five and four in the top ten, an impressive result for the host nation with Olympic pressure fast approaching. A major highlight came from Benjamin Jacques Alliod, as the 26 year old delivered a massive statement run to finish fifth, marking a huge personal best and signaling his arrival as a serious contender. With the first alpine event set to begin on Saturday, February 7, and just a 48 hour turnaround before downhill training starts on the Olympic track in Bormio, Italy’s timing and momentum could not be better.
The Swiss men continued their remarkable season with yet another dominant team performance. If a Swiss skier is not winning, they are almost always on the podium or right in the mix. Crans Montana reflected that trend, with two Swiss athletes in the top five, five in the top ten, and eight inside the top sixteen, accounting for half the top sixteen finishers. Marco Odermatt narrowly missed the podium by just nine hundredths of a second, a result that will only sharpen his focus heading into the Olympics. Adding to the depth was a standout performance from Lars Rösti, who charged to sixth from bib 26 for his best World Cup result of the season, further emphasizing the strength and confidence running through the Swiss team.
Kriechmayr’s Absence Highlights Austria’s Speed Struggles
Austria’s speed team faced another telling day as the notable absence of Vincent Kriechmayr loomed large in Crans Montana. The Austrian star remained in Saalbach, continuing focused training rather than racing, leaving the team without its usual front-runner in the field. The top Austrian on the day was Daniel Hemetsberger, who finished 14th, underscoring the challenges the team is currently navigating. The pressure has been building since Kitzbühel, where Austria failed to place a single athlete inside the top ten, with Kriechmayr the best of the group in 13th. Those results have prompted serious reflection within the Austrian camp as the Olympics approach, making the coming weeks critical as the team works to regain its trademark confidence and downhill edge.
Cochran-Siegle Sets the Tone as North Americans Look Ahead
The American men turned in a mixed but meaningful day in Crans Montana, led by Ryan Cochran Siegle, who once again set the standard for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team with a podium performance. Cochran Siegle skied with confidence and commitment from start to finish, continuing his strong form as the Olympic season draws closer. Bryce Bennett finished 18th after a solid run that featured small adjustments throughout, but not quite enough to unlock top speed on the day. Bennett now shifts his focus toward the Olympics and the familiar terrain in Bormio, a track that is traditionally dark and icy but will be far sunnier than usual this year due to its later place on the calendar, potentially changing how the course skis compared to past events.
Reflecting on his progress and mindset, Bennett said, “I felt like I could more or less do what I wanted, and that’s what I’m looking for — being free on the ski and putting pressure where I want. I just want to enjoy it, experience it, and use that Olympic energy to have a run I’m proud of.”
Independent American Wiley Maple, coming off a strong 19th place finish in Kitzbühel, skied into 29th in Crans Montana. The Aspen, Colorado native has battled nagging injuries throughout his career while self funding his full World Cup campaign, continuing to show persistence and grit on one of the sport’s most demanding circuits. There were also important milestones for the U.S. team, as Isaiah Nelson made his first career World Cup downhill start, gaining valuable experience on one of the World Cup’s classic tracks. Overall, the remainder of the Stifel U.S. men struggled to find their rhythm on the gliding, flowy Swiss track, where efficiency, timing, and terrain feel were at a premium.
“It was a super fun course — sunshine and snow instead of ice,” Maple said. “I left a little on the slopes, but I did what I could today. It was epic to see RCS put one in there.”
For the Canadian men, Cam Alexander delivered a strong and encouraging performance, charging into 11th place and leading the way for the team on a demanding Crans Montana track. While the rest of the squad did not find the speed they were searching for on the day, there were still positive signs moving forward. Jack Crawford, last year’s Kitzbühel winner, showed clear emotion and determination at the finish, a reflection of his high standards and competitive drive as he continues to search for his best form. With the Olympics approaching quickly, the focus now shifts to regrouping, rebuilding confidence, and carrying momentum forward, with every expectation that Crawford can tap back into the fast, aggressive skiing that has defined his success at the World Cup level and that everyone knows he is capable of.
Bibs 31+ who finished inside the top 30
- 13th 🇨🇭 Livio Hiltbrand (SUI) bib 33 +1.44
- 20th 🇮🇹 Guglielmo Bosca (ITA) bib 32 +1.61
- 21st 🇩🇪 Simon Jocher (GER) bib 38 +1.73
- 21st 🇮🇹 Christof Innerhofer (ITA) bib 30 +1.73
- 27th 🇸🇪 Felix Monsen (SWE) bib 34 +1.95
- 28th 🇸🇮 Martin Čater (SLO) bib 40 +2.05
- 29th 🇺🇸 Wiley Maple (USA) bib 36 +2.07
- 30th 🇦🇹 Andreas Ploier (AUT)- bib 46 +2.12
Momentum Builds as the Olympic Downhill Approaches
Crans Montana delivered a telling final test before the Olympic Games, with strong performances, breakthrough moments, and clear momentum for several nations heading into the sport’s biggest stage. The demanding yet fair conditions on the Nationale piste rewarded confidence, commitment, and clean execution, offering valuable insights as athletes now shift their focus to Italy. For the men, downhill training begins February 4th in Bormio, where teams will fine tune speed, equipment, and line choices on the Olympic track ahead of race day. The men’s Olympic downhill is set for February 7th, with the start scheduled for 5:30 a.m. EST and 11:30 local time, marking the culmination of months of preparation. With confidence gained, lessons learned, and pressure mounting, Crans Montana served as the perfect springboard into what promises to be a high stakes and unforgettable Olympic showdown.
Top 30 results
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Analysis of the top three and North Americans among the top 30
About the Author: Katie Twible
