Key Highlights
- Cortina cable car system not ready for the Games.
- An 11-year-old boy kicked off a bus due to fare issues and offered a part in the opening ceremony.
- Lindsey Vonn crashes during downhill race, but sees comeback.
- Katie Uhlaender appeals to Court of Arbitration for Sport regarding Canadian coaches’ decision.
The Cortina Dilemma: Cable Car Chaos and Controversy
February 1, 2026 – As the world’s eyes turn to Cortina d’Ampezzo for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games, a critical piece of infrastructure has been left in the lurch. The Apollonio-Socrepes gondola system, designed to ferry spectators to the Olympic women’s alpine competition venues, is not ready. This forced organizers to seek alternative transportation solutions, leading to school closures and limited ticket sales.
One such measure involved a 11-year-old boy named Riccardo Zuccolotto, who was inadvertently left off his bus due to fare issues.
The organizing committee swooped in with an offer: Zuccolotto would perform at the opening ceremony on February 6th. His grandmother, a lawyer, filed a complaint, and this story hit the front pages of Italian newspapers.
Downhill Drama: Vonn’s Setback and Determination
In the thrilling world of women’s alpine skiing, the stakes are high. U.S. Olympian Lindsey Vonn faced a setback during the downhill race in Crans-Montana on February 3rd, 2026.
Visibility issues forced the race to be cancelled, and Vonn had to be airlifted off the course with an injured left knee.
Vonn’s response was resolute: “This is a very difficult outcome one week before the Olympics… but if there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s a comeback. My Olympic dream is not over.” Her coach, Chris Knight, echoed her determination in a message to The Associated Press: “Katie is preparing for Cortina as usual.” Vonn’s recovery and participation remain uncertain.
Skeleton Disputes: Uhlaender Takes on BCS
In the realm of skeleton racing, Katie Uhlaender of the U.S. filed an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The dispute centers around a decision by Canadian coaches to withdraw four athletes from the final North American Cup race in Lake Placid last month. This move aimed to reduce points and protect other Canadian racers’ rankings.
Uhlaender’s appeal claims that this action was a form of manipulation.
Reuters reported on her statement: “Ms Uhlaender requests that CAS determine whether the decision by BCS to withdraw four of its athletes from the 11 January 2026 IBSF North American Cup Race was in violation of the Olympic Movement Code on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions, and that BCS coaches violated the IBSF Code of Conduct.” The hearing is scheduled for February 1st.
The outcome will determine whether Uhlaender gets an added place in the women’s skeleton field for the Games. Her case has garnered support from over a dozen countries, highlighting the ongoing challenges and controversies within winter sports competitions.
