Italian skier Giovanni Franzoni continued his impressive World Cup season by securing a victory on the renowned Streif course in Kitzbuhel, Austria. This win marked another highlight for Franzoni following his first career triumph in a super-G event in Wengen just eight days earlier.
Having previously excelled as a junior world champion in downhill, super-G, and combined disciplines, Franzoni had not graced a World Cup podium until his recent third-place finish in a super-G race in Italy. His success comes amidst personal tragedy, with the loss of his close friend and former roommate, Matteo Franzoso, in a preseason training accident in Chile.
During the race in Kitzbuhel, Franzoni set a strong pace early on and maintained it throughout the challenging course, ultimately claiming victory. He narrowly edged out world champion Marco Odermatt by 0.07 seconds, denying the Swiss skier his first win in the prestigious event.
Maxence Muzaton of France secured third place, with Canadian skier Cam Alexander finishing 14th and last year’s winner, Jack Crawford, placing 23rd. Odermatt, who had won multiple downhill races earlier in the season, faced tough competition from Franzoni on the slopes.
The Hahnenkamm weekend, featuring high-profile spectators such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jurgen Klopp, is a highlight of the World Cup calendar, with significant prize money awarded to the winners. The event concluded with a slalom race following the downhill competition.