Cortina d’Ampezzo love affair blossoms with one-year countdown to Olympic Games

It is an unconditional love affair that runs deep, and this was never more apparent than at last weekend’s Audi FIS World Cup races in Cortina d’Ampezzo. With the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games looming, the ‘Queen of the Dolomites’ once again stole the hearts of the world’s fastest female ski racers.

More than 50 athletes representing 14 countries hurtled themselves down the venerable Olympia delle Tofane Downhill piste and just about every one of them emerged professing deep affection for the slope. The steep gradients, demanding curves, intimidating passages, and diverse terrain of the 2,560-meter course both challenges and breaks the hearts of the world’s top female racers.

“Always in love here – it’s an amazing place, amazing food, amazing atmosphere, and skiing this snow today, I love it more,” said Federica Brignone (ITA/Rossignol), who won Sunday’s Super G, following a third-place finish in Saturday’s Downhill.

Lauren Macuga (USA/Rossignol), on just her third date with the Cortina race weekend, has already fallen head-over-heels too. The 22-year-old arrived in the Italian resort with a big smile, fresh off her first career World Cup victory in St. Anton, Austria. The extroverted, bucket-hat wearing American was unable to repeat the magic, but still left with that grin intact.

“It’s so cool, so pretty up there, as you start looking at the Dolomites and couldn’t ask for a better view,” Macuga said. “You come out of the start, you’re rolling along and then you have this cool jump between these huge rocks. It’s so sweet because you’re launching down this huge chute,” she says, referring to the signature Tofana Schuss. “It’s all just so much fun here.”

‘Cortina is a guarantee of quality’

History waits around every turn. The iconic course features, including the Tofana Schuss, the Duca d’Aosta Jump, Gran Curvone, and Scarpadon, has hosted women’s World Cup action for 51 years. Not to mention the 1956 Olympic Winter Games.

It is no wonder that Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI/Head) – a four-time winner in Cortina, who finished second in Sunday’s Super G – views the place as a trusted and reliable old friend.

Olympic skiing and snowboarding champion Ester Ledecka (CZE/Kaestle) is another who adores the set up.

“I love the way they prepare the course – there are ruts, but it’s not too icy,” said Ledecka, who finished eighth in the Downhill.

“It’s hard but grippy and it was really nice to ski. It’s always fun to come here," Ledecka added.

“Overall, I’d say there’s more jumps this year and there is a lot of air time, so that was cool.”

One might presume that Valerie Grenier (CAN/Rossignol) would have a love-hate relationship with the venue considering she achieved her first Downhill podium last year, but then suffered a crash in the Super G, the next day. The torn ligaments sustained abruptly ended her season. But it has not put the Canadian off.

“I love this place, honestly – obviously I had the crash here, so I had some nerves coming back here, but mostly I was excited, proud, and grateful to be back,” Grenier said. “I love this hill and the track is always perfect.”

The countdown to Milano Cortina 2026

This past weekend’s races served as an important Olympic test event and one final golden opportunity for the women to charge down the Olympia delle Tofane track, before they pursue gold medals and golden moments at next year’s Olympic Games.

The prospect of returning in 12 months is already intoxicating for the USA’s Isabella Wright (Atomic).

“It’s so exciting to imagine it – this course is kind of like our Kitzbühel, so for the women to have the Olympics here on a course that everyone really enjoys, it’s just going to make the Olympics more entertaining and reliable too,” said Wright who is hoping to make her second Olympic team.

“I think you’re going to see some major send during the Olympics and I think it will be very entertaining to watch.”

Sofia Goggia (ITA/Atomic), who captured Saturday’s Downhill to claim her fourth victory in Cortina, is not expecting any surprises when they return for the big one.

“It will be more or less like this weekend, because it’s 20 years now that it has been quite the same – I expect it to look just like this once again,” Goggia said of the slope that started hosting World Cup racing in 1974.

“I’m so excited, this place is an already an iconic venue and now to have the Olympics here is just so cool,” Macuga added.

Positive Italian vibes

Naturally, come Milano Cortina 2026, there will be tremendous Italian pride felt amongst the home nation’s athletes, however punching a ticket to represent the Italian Ski Team will be a hotly contested endeavor.

“It’s pretty amazing for Italy to have this opportunity in this beautiful place,” said Roberta Melesi (ITA/Dynastar), who finished 14th in Sunday’s Super G. “For me, my team is very strong, but my hopes and dream is to be here for the Olympics.”

Sabrina Simader (KEN/Kaestle), who grew up skiing in Austria, but competes for Kenya, is only beginning to anticipate what it might mean to represent the African nation at another Olympic Games.

“I haven’t thought about it too much yet, but I’m really excited about the Olympics here next year,” Simader said. “I just love the energy and vibes here in Italy, and the crowd is so cool, so I’m really looking forward to these Olympics.”

Until we meet again…

With less than 400 days until the start of the Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games, the female speed skiers have now departed to Garmisch-Partenkirchen with new business at hand.

However, after another emotional, inspiring, and indelible experience cherished by racers this past weekend in Cortina d’Ampezzo, the Olympic resort will surely remain close to their hearts – until they meet again, in February 2026.

You might even say “That’s Amore.”