Dominik Paris is focused, but relaxed. © APA/afp / FABRICE COFFRINI

In better spirits than ever at the Olympics

He is the king of Bormio. He has already triumphed seven times on the legendary Stelvio, six of them in the downhill. He won his first World Cup race here in 2012. Dominik Paris is eager for the Olympic downhill on Saturday. The 36-year-old from Ultental is still missing a medal from the Games. In Bormio, his journey could come full circle.

February 06, 2026

From: ar

By Alex Raffeiner, Bormio

Paris was in excellent spirits after the third downhill training run. He laughed and joked. He had never been seen so cheerful at the Olympics. "I have nothing left to lose, I can only gain," the powerhouse from Ultental said with a smile. "The only thing I have to prove is to myself."

For Paris, these are his fifth Winter Games. In Pyeongchang 2018, he finished fourth in the downhill, and four years ago in Beijing, sixth. The most successful speed skier of all time from the Italian national team has some unfinished business at the Olympics. "The goal is clear, of course," said Paris, looking ahead to a medal that could crown his magnificent career. "We'll see how it goes in the race." Unlike his teammates Florian Schieder, Giovanni Franzoni, and Mattia Casse, as well as Christof Innerhofer, who, as expected, will not be starting in Saturday's downhill (especially since there are only four starting places per discipline), Paris also completed the third downhill training run. "I wanted to ski the upper section again to feel more confident in certain parts. Besides, it's good at my age to keep moving," grinned the skier from Ultental, who then practically skied upright from the halfway point onward and made sure to greet the piste workers. “These people have been working for days to ensure the slope is in perfect condition for us racers,” emphasized Paris, who removed the tape from his ankle during the interview with the press, but immediately reassured them. “My ankle is fine. It's not causing me any problems at all while skiing. There's certainly no excuse for me,” said Paris. “The slope conditions are ideal. The snow is softer due to the moisture, but that's fine. The diffuse light might cause problems for one or two racers, certainly for me as well. Then I'll just have to ski the course blind,” the veteran added with a wink.

The powerhouse from Ulten is one of the favorites in the Olympic downhill. © APA/afp / FABRICE COFFRINI

He could probably manage it in his hometown of Bormio, too. Paris loves the Stelvio, that's no secret. "The upper section is truly beautiful. It definitely takes a lot of courage and determination," said the man from Ultental. "Going through the Canalino at 150 km/h – that's incredibly cool." The most difficult part is undoubtedly the passage "between Fontana Lunga and Traverse Carcentina," Paris emphasized, referring to the most winding sections of the descent, which are extremely demanding. "You have to make the difference at the top; down below it's not like it used to be, when ice and bumps pushed the riders to the brink of exhaustion." Paris speaks of the Stelvio with a mixture of awe, admiration, and anticipation. On Saturday, he can realize his greatest sporting dream there.