Livigno, Italy – The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina continue to be beset by weather-related disruptions, with the women’s freestyle skiing aerials qualifying and the snowboard slopestyle final both impacted by heavy snowfall on Tuesday. The delays add to a growing list of challenges for the Games, which have already seen a curling controversy and an ice hockey suspension.
The aerials competition, a notoriously risky event requiring athletes to perform flips and spins up to 15 metres in the air before landing on a 37-degree slope, was particularly affected. “Aerials is not a sport you want to get wrong,” one observer noted. Persistent blustery winds and heavy snowfall, similar to conditions that halted events on Monday, created hazardous conditions. As the day progressed, fog rolled into the valley, further reducing visibility.
Australia’s aerial skiers were among those forced to wait, but coach Renee McElduff emphasized that the team was well-prepared for such delays. “We practice for this,” McElduff said. “When we’re in Brisbane at our water ramp at Sleeman Sports Complex there, we do lots of scenario planning and This represents definitely something that we’ve trained for.” The qualifying session was ultimately cancelled.
Beyond the competitive challenges, safety concerns also played a role in the postponement. McElduff explained that access for medical services was hampered by the fog. “And then, as the fog rolled in, we had some trouble with medical [services] having access to the site,” she said. “If medical can’t be here, then it’s a little bit unsafe for us to jump without that service available to us.”
The women’s snowboard slopestyle final also fell victim to the weather, joining the aerials competition in being postponed. The disruptions are impacting the overall Olympic schedule and testing the resilience of athletes and organizers alike.
The challenges extend beyond the slopes. A cheating allegation in curling has sparked controversy, with Canada’s men’s team accused of “double touching” the stone during their 8-6 win over Sweden. The accusation, made by Swedish third Oskar Eriksson, led to a heated exchange between players, including an expletive-laden response from Canadian third Marc Kennedy. World Curling officials stated that video replays cannot be used to overturn game decisions, but the incident has cast a shadow over the event.
The escalating tensions in curling follow a similar incident last week, and highlight the intense competition and scrutiny at the Games. The controversy underscores the importance of fair play and the challenges of maintaining integrity in high-stakes athletic contests.
In ice hockey, Pierre Crinon of France has been banned by his national federation for the remainder of the Winter Olympics following a fight with Team Canada’s Tom Wilson during a 10-2 loss on Sunday. While Olympic officials did not issue further sanctions, the French Ice Hockey Federation took a strong stance, citing Crinon’s “provocative behaviour” after the ejection. This marks the first such incident at the Winter Games since 1998.
Away from the competitive arena, American figure skater Isabeau Levito has expressed her enthusiasm for the Olympic Village, stating she doesn’t want to leave. “I’ve spent every night in the [Olympic] Village. It’s been everything and more. And you can’t evict me,” Levito said, adding that her experience has already been complete despite not yet fully competing.
The ongoing issues at the Milano Cortina Games serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of winter sports and the logistical complexities of hosting a major international event. Organizers are working to mitigate the impact of the weather and address the controversies that have emerged, but the challenges are significant. The ability of athletes to adapt to changing conditions and maintain focus amidst the disruptions will be crucial as the Games progress.
The delays and controversies are not isolated incidents, but rather part of a broader pattern of challenges facing the 2026 Winter Olympics. From weather disruptions to accusations of cheating and disciplinary actions, the Games have been marked by a series of incidents that test the spirit of fair play and the resilience of all involved.
