BORMIO, Italy – The ski competitions over the weekend in Bormio have put on display the daunting challenge that the men’s downhill event at the upcoming 2026 Olympics is expected to pose, potentially making it one of the toughest races seen in the last three decades. American skier Bryce Bennett expressed his intense apprehension regarding the notorious Stelvio slope, while experienced Italian skier Christof Innerhofer, who has represented his country in four Olympic Games, echoed such sentiments, saying he cannot recall a more challenging course.
This difficult terrain was underscored by several crashes during the World Cup event, with three athletes requiring airlift to a medical center — among them, French skier Cyprien Sarrazin, who underwent surgery for a brain injury resulting from his accident. The forthcoming Milan-Cortina Olympics marks a return to Europe for the Games, after their previous editions were held in Russia, South Korea, and China. The men’s Alpine skiing competitions will occur in Bormio, while the women’s events will be staged in Cortina d’Ampezzo, a five-hour car journey apart.
“It’s definitely going to be special because the last Olympic Games were so far from here,” remarked the 40-year-old Innerhofer, who secured silver and bronze medals in the downhill and combined events respectively during the Sochi Olympics in 2014. He went on to compare the varying degrees of slope difficulty over the years, stating, “We’ve seen a variety of courses, but this one stands out. I believe this will be the most challenging one in the last 30 years.”
Characterized by its unyielding nature, complicated by varying light conditions, and intimidating speeds that can reach up to 140 kph (87 mph), the Stelvio track has garnered a reputation for being treacherous. Innerhofer emphasized the intensity of the course, stating, “It’s truly on the edge. Nobody can grasp how challenging it is to ski down due to the lighting, speed, and the course’s irregularities.” The Stelvio track extends nearly 3,230 meters, featuring a vertical drop of 986 meters and an extreme gradient of 63%.
Reflecting on his experience, Bennett recalled how seasoned racers would often avoid racing here, adding, “Now that I’m older, I truly understand the hesitations.” Despite previously finishing fourth in a downhill race in 2018 at Bormio, he has struggled to be competitive on the Stelvio in recent years. “I’ve felt a bit of trauma associated with this place over the last three years, making it hard to overcome,” Bennett explained. He recognized the need to manage risk and confidence despite facing difficulties on this slope.
The downhill events are inherently perilous and generally offer athletes two training attempts before the race. Sarrazin’s accident occurred during the second training run, leading teammate Nils Allègre to criticize the event organizers sharply, asserting that they lacked the expertise to adequately prepare the course. Allègre even stated, “They don’t deserve to host the Olympic Games here.”
In response, race director Omar Galli defended the organization, highlighting significant improvements made to safety features and promising further enhancements for the Olympic event. Marco Odermatt, the three-time overall champion, took a moderate approach, describing the Stelvio as a “constant fight for survival.” He pointed out the challenges posed by the icy conditions and aggressive snow sections, which complicate ski control throughout the run.
One key advantage the Olympics will have over the World Cup event is that the downhill will take place in February, as opposed to December. This timing will contribute to a more uniform slope condition and, importantly, ensure that the famously dim Stelvio course will be basking in more sunlight. The last February event held here was during the 2005 World Championships, which concluded with a memorable American one-two finish between Daron Rahlves and Bode Miller.
“I’m really looking forward to skiing in the sun,” Bennett noted. “It can be so dark here, so having some light on the course should make it more enjoyable. Former athletes have shared that it’s easier with sunlight; while I don’t believe it’s easy, it certainly simplifies things.”
