Italian skier Giovanni Franzoni continued his remarkable World Cup season by clinching victory on the challenging Streif course in Kitzbuhel, Austria. This win came just two weeks ahead of the downhill race at the upcoming Winter Olympics in his home country.
Franzoni’s success in Kitzbuhel followed his first career win in the super-G event in Wengen a week earlier. The 24-year-old, a former junior world champion in multiple disciplines, had never been on a World Cup podium until last month when he secured third place in a super-G race in Italy. His triumph came after the tragic loss of his close friend and former roommate, Matteo Franzoso, in a preseason training accident in Chile.
During the race in Kitzbuhel, Franzoni set an early pace as the second starter. Despite other racers posting faster split times, none could maintain their advantage on the demanding course.
In a close finish, Franzoni beat world champion and overall World Cup leader Marco Odermatt by just 0.07 seconds, as Odermatt’s quest for a win in this prestigious event was postponed for another year. French racer Maxence Muzaton, starting late with bib number 29, briefly led Franzoni but ultimately finished 0.39 seconds behind, pushing Franzoni’s Italian teammate Florian Schieder into fourth place.
Canadian skier Cam Alexander achieved the highest Canadian finish, securing 14th place. Last year’s winner, Jack Crawford of Toronto, finished 23rd, 1.65 seconds off Franzoni’s winning time.
Odermatt, who won the super-G on the previous day, initially led Franzoni during the downhill race but lost time in the final section of the Streif course. While Odermatt showed signs of disappointment at the finish line, Franzoni displayed relief from the leader’s box.
Despite overcast conditions affecting the race, Franzoni’s strong form was evident throughout the event. The weekend’s races at Hahnenkamm, a renowned World Cup event, attracted 45,000 spectators and prominent figures such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Hahnenkamm weekend boasts the highest prize money in World Cup skiing, awarding 101,000 euros ($119,000 US) to the top three finishers. The event will conclude with a slalom race on Sunday.