Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics: What will be the First Race?

Le Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will open with one of the most iconic and spectacular races in alpine skiing: the men's downhill.
Adrenaline, speed and technique will immediately set the tone for this edition destined to be historic.

When and Where it will be Disputed

• Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026
• Location: Stelvio Slope, Bormio (Valtellina).

The Stelvio is considered one of the most challenging trails on the world circuit, famous for its extreme elevation gain, technical sections and the need for a perfect combination of courage and precision.

Why the Downhill is So Important

The downhill is the queen event of alpine skiing:

• Athletes reach speeds exceeding the 130 km/h.
• Requires great physical strength, quick reflexes e steady nerves.
• It is a race dry: no multiple trials, just a downhill to play it all out.

Opening the Olympics with this discipline means starting immediately with maximum tension and spectacle.

The First Heroes of the Games

The downhill race will award the first gold medals of the 2026 Olympics, becoming one of the most anticipated and followed moments for fans around the world.
The winner will immediately go down in history, winning the first Winter Olympic title awarded on Italian soil in 20 years (the last time was Turin 2006).

The Big Favorites

Although it is early for official lists, traditionally the champions from Austria, Switzerland, Norway and Italy dominate the scene.
Eyes on the speed specialists, ready to compete on a track that rewards courage, technique and endurance.

An Exciting Inauguration

Even without waiting for the official ceremony, the real show will begin as early as dawn on Feb. 7 with the snow challenge in Bormio.
Milan-Cortina 2026 could not have chosen a better start: pure adrenaline, frost in the air and the Olympic dream immediately coming to life.

Mark the date: the first unmissable Milan-Cortina event will be a breathtaking race to glory!