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Olympic Ski Race Against Time: Piste Flip Challenge
8 Feb
Summary
- Organizers have only two hours to change the ski piste.
- Same piste will host downhill and slalom on the same day.
- A rapid transformation requires 300 workers and precision.
The debut of the men's Alpine skiing team combined event at the Milano Cortina Games presents a significant logistical hurdle for organizers. On February 8th, 2026, the same piste in Bormio will host both the downhill and slalom races on the same day, with only a narrow two-hour window for the crucial transformation.
Sport Manager Omar Galli highlighted the difficulty of this on-the-fly course modification. If the downhill event, scheduled to conclude around 11:45 a.m. CET, runs late due to incidents or injuries, the available time to prepare the slalom course by 1:30 p.m. CET will be further reduced.
The Stelvio run in Bormio will host both disciplines, though the slalom will utilize a distinct, untouched section. A team of 300 workers, including safety net crews and sweepers, will be tasked with rapidly converting the course, adjusting barriers, repainting markings, and smoothing the surface. Moving camera positions and adapting run-out zones for different safety requirements add to the complexity of this tight schedule.
