Marco Odermatt Chases Downhill Glory as Alpine Skiing Opens Winter Olympics 2026

Alpine skiing took center stage on the opening medal day of the Winter Olympics 2026 as the men's downhill competition commenced at the legendary Stelvio Alpine Skiing Centre in Bormio on Saturday, February 7. Switzerland's Marco Odermatt entered as the overwhelming favorite, seeking to add Olympic downhill gold to his giant slalom triumph from Beijing 2022 and cement his status as the dominant force in alpine skiing. The 27-year-old has captured four consecutive overall Crystal Globes and leads the current World Cup downhill standings, making him the man to beat on one of the sport's most challenging courses.

Odermatt faces stiff competition from his Swiss compatriot Franjo von Allmen, the reigning world champion in downhill who has emerged as one of the sport's most exciting talents this season. Von Allmen secured two downhill victories during the 2025-26 World Cup season, including a commanding performance at Crans-Montana in Switzerland, demonstrating his ability to handle the pressure of racing on home snow. The Swiss depth in speed events gives them a strong chance to sweep the podium, with other contenders including veteran Beat Feuz if he qualified for the team.

The Stelvio course in Bormio represents one of the most demanding tests in alpine skiing, featuring steep gradients, technical sections, and speeds exceeding 140 kilometers per hour. The historic venue has hosted World Cup races since 1985 and previously staged Olympic competitions at Cortina in 1956. Athletes navigate the 3.27-kilometer track with a vertical drop of 986 meters, requiring a combination of pure speed, technical precision, and courage. Training runs leading up to race day saw Canada's James Crawford posting impressive times, though Swiss racers strategically held back to conserve energy.

American hopes rest primarily on Ryan Cochran-Siegle, who brings Olympic pedigree and strong downhill credentials to Bormio. The 31-year-old from Vermont claimed silver in the super-G at Beijing 2022 and has consistently competed at the highest level in speed events throughout his career. Cochran-Siegle comes from a legendary ski racing family and possesses the experience and technical skills needed to challenge for medals on the Olympic stage. His preparation and recent form suggest he could be a factor if he puts together a clean run.

The men's downhill traditionally sets the tone for the alpine skiing program at any Winter Olympics, combining raw speed with the ultimate test of nerve. The Stelvio's reputation as one of the most challenging downhills in the world means that small mistakes get severely punished, while perfect execution gets rewarded with time gains that can make the difference between gold and missing the podium entirely. With clear weather conditions expected for the 11:30 AM local time start, the stage was set for a memorable Olympic downhill that would crown a new champion and kick off two weeks of world-class alpine competition in the Italian Alps.