Maxence Muzaton becomes first French athlete to compete in Milano Cortina 2026 team combined downhill event.
French Alpine Skiing veteran Maxence Muzaton has made history by becoming the first French skier to take on the downhill portion of the team combined event at Milano Cortina 2026. The 35-year-old downhill specialist is representing France alongside slalom expert Paco Rassat in this innovative Olympic format.
The team combined event represents a new challenge in Olympic alpine skiing, requiring nations to field both technical and speed specialists who must work together to achieve the best combined result. Muzaton's experience in downhill racing makes him an ideal choice for the speed portion of this demanding competition.
Muzaton and Rassat Form French Team
The pairing of Muzaton with slalom specialist Paco Rassat demonstrates France's strategic approach to the team combined format. While Muzaton brings his downhill expertise to handle the speed discipline, Rassat's technical skills in slalom provide the perfect complement for France's medal ambitions.
At 35 years old, Muzaton represents the experienced generation of French alpine skiing, bringing valuable knowledge and composure to what promises to be an intense competition. His partnership with Rassat showcases the depth of French alpine skiing talent across different disciplines.
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The team combined event adds an exciting new dimension to Olympic alpine skiing, emphasizing collaboration between athletes who typically compete individually. This format tests not only individual skill in each discipline but also the strategic decisions teams make in selecting their specialist pairings.
France's participation in this inaugural team event highlights the nation's commitment to embracing new Olympic formats while drawing on their strong tradition in both speed and technical alpine skiing disciplines.
