Cortina d'Ampezzo-Milan Winter Olympics

[Sciatic]

Place to discuss any events of interest during the next two weeks of Olympic competition. I will mostly be watching the alpine and Nordic skiing events. Perhaps someone else can add some info about the cross-country and biathlon races. Below is my primer for the alpine events.

• Note that the men's events are on the Stelvio course in Bormio and women's events at the Olimpia delle Tofane course in Cortina d'Ampezzo. Also, I didn’t list the Team Combined events because I think its a crime that they replaced the individual combined medal event with this silliness.
• Could be an exciting time for the home crowd as Italian skiers (Sofia Goggia and Giovanni Franzoni) are the likely favorites in both downhills, one of glamour events of any Winter Games. There will be tons of media attention on Lindsey Vonn’s injury derailing her comeback as the Queen of Speed, but I honestly don’t think she would have been one of the top tier favorites on this course. Shiffrin (slalom) and Odermatt (Super G) will be the biggest favorites in any of the events.

Medal events:
07 Feb Men’s Downhill 11:30 CET
Bormio-Stelvio

08 Feb Women’s Downhill 11:30
Cortina d' Ampezzo

11 Feb Men’s Super G 11:30
Bormio

12 Feb Women’s Super G 11:30
Cortina d' Ampezzo

14 Feb Men’s Giant Slalom, Bormio
1st Run 10:00
2nd Run 13:30

15 Feb Women’s Giant Slalom, Cortina d' Ampezzo
1st Run 10:00
2nd Run 13:30

16 Feb Men’s Slalom, Bormio
1st Run 10:00
2nd Run 13:30

18 Feb Women’s Slalom, Cortina d' Ampezzo
1st Run 10:00
2nd Run 13:30

Complete schedule for the entire Olympics here: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/schedule

 

[Sciatic]

Want to add that unlike the downhill courses at some Olympics, at locations that didn't have the terrain to be all that challenging, both men's and women's courses--especially the Stelvio--are quite tough and regularly part of the World Cup circuit. Should be fun to watch.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Want to add that unlike the downhill courses at some Olympics, at locations that didn't have the terrain to be all that challenging, both men's and women's courses--especially the Stelvio--are quite tough and regularly part of the World Cup circuit. Should be fun to watch.

I've been to northern Italy several times and even did some skiing there years ago - the scenery should be lovely and, what's the snow forecast like? Little or artificial snow will put a damper on the party visually at least...

 

[Sciatic]

I've been to northern Italy several times and even did some skiing there years ago - the scenery should be lovely and, what's the snow forecast like? Little or artificial snow will put a damper on the party visually at least...

It was really low snow until very recently. Courses will be mostly artificial snow, which is getting pretty common in many of the World Cup Alpine events. New snow will of course improve the scenery!

ed Watching some of the women's downhill training runs from early this morning I can see that Cortina got a big dump of snow. Don't know about the other venues

 

[JR1012]

The hockey will be insane. The best of the world will finaly clash against each other.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

I'm not sure I've ever thought about Andorra and zebra stripes at the same time before.

 

[Sciatic]

The hockey will be insane. The best of the world will finaly clash against each other.

Yeah, should have mentioned that’s the other event I’m looking forward to watching.

 

[Sciatic]

I'm not sure I've ever thought about Andorra and zebra stripes at the same time before.

Germany has had something like zebras stripes on their downhill suits for years, though they are getting less prominent than they used to be.

 

[KZD]

As usual I will pay more attention to the biathlon and cross country skiing events but I will tried to watch a few hockey games and other sports.

On biathlon I expect the French to win the most medals, with Jeanmonot and Perrot. However the Swedes should be anle to give them a good fight with the Öberg sisters, Samuelsson and Ponsiluoma possibly winning the mixed relay with this line up. As for Norway with JTB retiring last year I think they are kind of screwed but they can still take one or two golds with their male athletes or Kirkeeide. Finally the Italians have a decent shot of take a gold medal with Giacomel, Vitozzi or even Wierer.

On cross-country skiing, the men's side will be dominated by Klæbo with him likely taking the gold medal record on Winter Olympics. It would be good news for the sport if Norway is beaten in just one race but I don't think so. In the women's side things will be more open, but the Swedes are the favourites for most races with Andersson, Karlsson, Svahn and Sundling making likely taking some golds. Diggins and the Norwegians will likely be the biggest challengers.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Emilien Jacquelin has loaned out one of Pantani‘s ear rings for the Olympic Biathlon competitions in Italy because he claims to have been inspired to become a pro athlete by watching Pantani win the Tour when he was three years old.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Emilien Jacquelin has loaned out one of Pantani‘s ear rings for the Olympic Biathlon competitions in Italy because he claims to have been inspired to become a pro athlete by watching Pantani win the Tour when he was three years old.

I hope his friend Nans Peters has also loaned him something he wore when he won that Giro stage in Antholz.

 

[Unchained]

Wait....what..

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OhOwb9M-Zpo&pp=ygUJUGVuaXNnYXRl


Is nothing sacred

 

[RoadToTokyo2020]

Hello everyone!

The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games are starting today and we’d love to have you with us on Totallympics to experience them together! https://totallympics.com

Join the discussion before, during, and after the competitions, share your thoughts, cheer for your favorites, and represent your country across the forum!

Once the two Olympic weeks are over, our focus will immediately shift to summer sports and the qualification races for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The road to LA28 will startt soon, and we hope you’ll follow it with us!

Enjoy the Olympic Games, and for those interested see you on the forum! 🎉🏆

 

[Tricycle Rider]

The hockey will be insane. The best of the world will finaly clash against each other.

Yes, I believe it's been since 2014 that NHL players have not taken part in the 'lympics, but they're back this year, baby!

I think Canada v. US should be a fun game.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Lotto's Sandrine Tas is currently leading the women's 3000m in speed skating, but it won't last when the second group has been on the ice. It could still lead to a fairly good result for her.

 

[Red Rick]

LOLobrigida

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Home favourite Francesca Lollobrigida takes home the gold. A fantastic way to celebrate her 35th birthday. All medalists either beat or equaled Irene Schouten's Olympic record from four years ago. No Dutch medalists this time around.

World record holder and former part time cyclist Martina Sáblíková was not fit enough to start at her last Olympics before retirement.

 

[kingjr]

LOLobrigida

And no medals for the Dutch. Painful.

 

[jmdirt]

Poor me, I have a crazy busy schedule this weekend:

Watch Olympics
Ride
Walk the dog
Watch Super Cross (SX)
Watch Olympics

Watch Olympics
Ride
Walk the dog
Watch Super Bowl (SEA fan since 1976)
Watch Olympics

I will not be getting much done this weekend! What a great sporting weekend!

Really cool win for Francesca Lollobrigida! Gold medal, Oly record at home on her birthday! Sporting aside, great cheeks bones!

 

[Unchained]

Poor me, I have a crazy busy schedule this weekend:

Watch Olympics
Ride
Walk the dog
Watch Super Cross (SX)
Watch Olympics

Watch Olympics
Ride
Walk the dog
Watch Super Bowl (SEA fan since 1976)
Watch Olympics

I will not be getting much done this weekend! What a great sporting weekend!

Really cool win for Francesca Lollobrigida! Gold medal, Oly record at home on her birthday! Sporting aside, great cheeks bones!

I caught the rebroadcast of opening ceremony, in my opinion it was outstanding. I have been unable to find any coverage in Italian on my streaming service but without knowing Italian their athletes are having a blast.
USA Hockey!

 

[Sciatic]

Watching the downhill today made me think of the difference in the feeling and excitement between an Olympic Gold in the road race vs. RVV or Roubaix. That's in part the effect that Olympics security measures, ticket prices, and transportation difficulties make the crowds so much smaller and quieter. It looked like there were perhaps 1,000 people watching today--all of them in the finish area. Whereas in Kitzbuhel, the equivalent of Roubaix in alpine skiing, a few weeks ago there were probably 20,000 fans, including lining the entire length of the course. Not to diminish Von Allman's victory, since it was on a challenging course and because an Olympic gold in alpine skiing carries much more cache than Olympic gold in cycling.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Poor me, I have a crazy busy schedule this weekend:

Watch Olympics
Ride
Walk the dog
Watch Super Cross (SX)
Watch Olympics

Watch Olympics
Ride
Walk the dog
Watch Super Bowl (SEA fan since 1976)
Watch Olympics

I will not be getting much done this weekend! What a great sporting weekend!

Really cool win for Francesca Lollobrigida! Gold medal, Oly record at home on her birthday! Sporting aside, great cheeks bones!

Yeah, I'm having to choose whether I want to watch some (smaller) cycling races early in the morning or the tons of Oly competitions that have begun in earnest, and thank you for reminding me the SB is on tomorrow as well...

It's a bit overwhelming, but I'm loving this round-the-clock sports viewing schedule!

 

[Sciatic]

As usual I will pay more attention to the biathlon and cross country skiing events but I will tried to watch a few hockey games and other sports.

On biathlon I expect the French to win the most medals, with Jeanmonot and Perrot. However the Swedes should be anle to give them a good fight with the Öberg sisters, Samuelsson and Ponsiluoma possibly winning the mixed relay with this line up. As for Norway with JTB retiring last year I think they are kind of screwed but they can still take one or two golds with their male athletes or Kirkeeide. Finally the Italians have a decent shot of take a gold medal with Giacomel, Vitozzi or even Wierer.

On cross-country skiing, the men's side will be dominated by Klæbo with him likely taking the gold medal record on Winter Olympics. It would be good news for the sport if Norway is beaten in just one race but I don't think so. In the women's side things will be more open, but the Swedes are the favourites for most races with Andersson, Karlsson, Svahn and Sundling making likely taking some golds. Diggins and the Norwegians will likely be the biggest challengers.

thanks for your rundown on the XC/Biathlon events

 

[Sciatic]

Poor me, I have a crazy busy schedule this weekend:

Watch Olympics
Ride
Walk the dog
Watch Super Cross (SX)
Watch Olympics

Watch Olympics
Ride
Walk the dog
Watch Super Bowl (SEA fan since 1976)
Watch Olympics

I will not be getting much done this weekend! What a great sporting weekend!

Really cool win for Francesca Lollobrigida! Gold medal, Oly record at home on her birthday! Sporting aside, great cheeks bones!

Would definitely be helpful to get in a good ride before the SB to burn off tension watching. I'll just have to be content with a long walk. Do you go to a SB party, pub, or watch at home? Parties are fun when it's another team but I prefer to watch on my own when I'm watching the Hawks.

 

[jmdirt]

Would definitely be helpful to get in a good ride before the SB to burn off tension watching. I'll just have to be content with a long walk. Do you go to a SB party, pub, or watch at home? Parties are fun when it's another team but I prefer to watch on my own when I'm watching the Hawks.

I don't like watching sports with other people unless I'm at the venue ,then obviously the other people are part of the experience.