The opening test races at the Milan-Cortina Olympics sliding venue will take place without spectators due to ongoing construction in the surrounding area. Despite the construction, the upcoming World Cup bobsled and skeleton event scheduled from Friday to Sunday will serve as an Olympic test event in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Luge athletes have also been conducting trials at the venue in preparation for the Games from Feb. 6-22.
Approximately 250 athletes have tested the track over the past month, providing a comprehensive evaluation of the venue’s readiness, according to Fabio Saldini, the Italian government commissioner overseeing the construction. The previous Eugenio Monti track, operational since 1923, closed in 2008 due to escalating maintenance expenses.
Initially, the International Olympic Committee preferred the sliding events to be held at existing tracks in Austria or Switzerland. A backup plan involved using the facility in Lake Placid, New York, if the Cortina track was not completed on time. Despite the tight timeline, with less than two years until the Games, organizers are confident in completing the €118 million ($136 million US) project on schedule.
Environmentally, the new venue aims for sustainability by utilizing a refrigerant that is 96% glycol, significantly more eco-friendly than the previous ammonia-based system. The ice quality is maintained optimally, with additional measures such as movable shades and natural grass planting on the roof to reduce environmental impact.
The extended track, now 100 meters longer than before with 16 corners instead of 11, sets the stage for the upcoming World Cup sliding event after an 18-year hiatus. Notably, bobsledder Kaillie Humphries-Armbruster, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, is the sole competitor in the 30-nation field with experience on the old Cortina track. Additionally, local skeleton athlete Mattia Gaspari from Cortina will have the opportunity to represent host Italy on home turf for the first time.