The intermittent snowfalls that fell on Bormio risked canceling at least the first of the three tests on the Stelvio
A few hours before the start of the trials for the men’s Olympic downhill in Bormio (Sondrio), like very fine snow craftsmen the local managers of the Stelvio slope are working tirelessly to prepare one of the most evocative theaters of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games. Because the intermittent snowfalls of the last 48 hours on the Alta Valtellina resort risk canceling at least the first of the three trials (set for the morning of 4 February) of the downhill scheduled for Saturday February 7.
no cats
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On the day of February 3, the temperatures at altitude in Bormio were around 8 degrees below zero, ideal for compacting the surface of the Stelvio, which the managers have worked on in recent weeks, preferring however a not extreme barrier of the track, not live ice to put it in the jargon. However, a fair amount of snow fell on Bormio and the workers cleaned the track “by hand”, only with specific tools but without letting the snow cats go into action to prevent the heavy vehicles from risking breaking the compact surface of the Stelvio. The final decision whether or not to hold the first timed downhill race will be made on the early morning of February 4th. The timing test with the trailblazers was not carried out on Tuesday evening, to leave as many hours as possible for the track cleaning workers, another factor that could reduce the tests to just Thursday 5th and Friday 6th February, leaving the Olympic race set for Saturday 7th.
hypothetical changes to the route
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Other interesting rumors arrive from Bormio, regarding the race for gold, with our Paris and Franzoni among the candidates for the podium together with the very favorite Swiss Odermatt and Von Allmen. Because compared to the usual World Cup route, the Olympic downhill on the Stelvio could undergo small changes in a couple of points. A slight variation exiting the Canalino Sertorelli and a more direct entry into the key area of Carcentina. But the organizers have not yet made the final decision. The tremendous diagonal of the Carcentina is unchanged for obvious technical and entertainment reasons, although it could end a few meters before the edge of the woods with the usual left turn before the San Pietro jump. Tweaks or not, the Stelvio will be an unmissable high-risk show. Bormio works tirelessly. Saturday 7th the time of the first Olympic truth of 2026.
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