Tanguy Nef Claims Historic Olympic Gold in Team Combined at Milan Cortina 2026

BORMIO, 16 February 2026 – Swiss slalom specialist Tanguy Nef has reached the pinnacle of alpine skiing, securing a gold medal in the Olympic debut of the men’s team combined event. Partnering with downhill sensation Franjo von Allmen, Nef delivered a masterclass on the Stelvio course to overcome a significant deficit and secure Switzerland’s dominance in the discipline.
A Masterclass on the Stelvio
Entering the slalom portion of the team combined, the Swiss-2 pairing of Von Allmen and Nef sat in fourth place, trailing by 0.42 seconds following the downhill leg. However, Nef, who has famously never achieved a podium finish on the World Cup circuit, produced what he described as “one of my best” runs. Navigating a heavily rutted course, the 29-year-old Genevan posted the fastest slalom time of the day to catapult the duo into the gold medal position with a total time of 2:44.04.
The victory marks a significant personal milestone for Nef, who admitted to battling “imposter syndrome” despite his silver medal at the 2025 World Championships. “I feel like I have worked my whole life to live this moment,” Nef stated following the flower ceremony. The Swiss victory was made even sweeter as they led a 1-2 finish for their nation, with teammates Marco Odermatt and Loïc Meillard taking the silver medal.
Athlete Profile: Tanguy Nef
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Tanguy Nef |
| Nationality | Swiss (Geneva) |
| Birthdate | 19 November 1996 |
| Speciality | Slalom |
| Olympic Medals | Gold (Team Combined, 2026) |
| Equipment | Atomic |
Swiss Dominance in Milan Cortina
The gold medal is the second of the Games for Nef’s partner, Franjo von Allmen, who previously won the individual downhill. For Nef, the focus now shifts to the individual slalom event. His performance today has established him as a genuine contender, proving he can handle the immense pressure of the Olympic stage despite his lack of traditional World Cup hardware.
The French pairing of Nils Allègre and Clément Noël finished in a disappointing fifth place, missing the podium by a mere 0.13 seconds, as the Swiss technical prowess proved insurmountable on the icy Italian slopes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Tanguy Nef won a World Cup race?
No. As of 16 February 2026, Tanguy Nef has never finished in the top three of an individual FIS World Cup race, making his Olympic gold medal performance even more remarkable.
What is the Team Combined event?
The team combined made its Olympic debut at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games. It features one specialist from a speed discipline (Downhill or Super-G) and one specialist from a technical discipline (Slalom), with their times added together for a final result.
Where is the alpine skiing being held for the 2026 Olympics?
The men’s speed and technical events for the 2026 Winter Olympics are primarily hosted at the Stelvio Ski Centre in Bormio, Italy.
