Bobsleigh officials rave about Cortina track, a good sign for 2026 Olympic events being held there
Italy is one step closer to hosting the sliding events at the Milan-Cortina Olympics after successful testing at the Cortina d’Ampezzo track. The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation has declared the testing period as a success, paving the way for the 2026 Olympics to be held at the rebuilt track.
With about 60 sliders from 12 countries participating in the pre-homologation testing, including a significant number from Italy, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. IBSF president Ivo Ferriani expressed his excitement about the outcome and the anticipation of hosting the World Cup in November and the Olympics.
Although minor adjustments still need to be made and construction works finalized, the overall sentiment is one of optimism. The Italian government agency, Simico, overseeing the project, reported positive results for the test runs. The final decision on preliminary certification for the track will be made by officials from the IBSF, International Luge Federation, and the IOC.
The upcoming schedule includes luge athletes training at the new track in late October, followed by a test event in November. The bobsled and skeleton tours will also have their international training period and World Cup races at the Cortina track in November.
The Cortina track, measuring 1.749 kilometers with 16 curves and a top speed of 145 kph, promises thrilling run times of 55-60 seconds. The completion of the track will mark a significant milestone in ensuring that the sliding events for the 2026 Olympics will be held in Italy, avoiding the need for a backup Plan B option in Lake Placid, New York.
With the support of the IBSF and positive feedback from athletes and experts, the anticipation for the Milan-Cortina Olympics is growing. The successful testing at the Cortina track sets the stage for an exciting competition and showcases Italy’s commitment to hosting a world-class event.
