Snow Chaos at Winter Olympics Delays Key Finals at Milano Cortina 2026
Heavy snow has thrown the Winter Olympics into sudden disruption and athletes who trained for years are now waiting on the weather.
At the Milano Cortina 2026 Games, day 11 was meant to showcase some of the most daring freestyle events on the program. Instead, thick snowfall and poor visibility forced organizers to postpone multiple competitions, including the women’s snowboard slopestyle final and both men’s and women’s aerials qualifications. For competitors who rely on exact speed and clear sightlines, even small changes in conditions can mean serious risk. So officials made the call, safety first.
Among those affected is 16-year-old Australian snowboarder Ally Hickman, one of the youngest athletes at these Games. She was set to compete in the women’s slopestyle final, an event that demands precision, flow and total confidence on the course. Now, that final has been pushed back, giving her more time to wait and more time to manage nerves.
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Aerials skiers were also sidelined. The event is one of the most dangerous in winter sport. Athletes launch themselves high into the air, performing twisting somersaults before landing at speed. Too much snow on the in-run can slow them down just enough to make those rotations unsafe. Visibility is equally critical. When athletes are flipping 15 meters above the ground, they need to see their landing clearly. Officials determined conditions simply were not consistent enough.
While outdoor events were paused, other competitions continued. Norway’s Tormod Frostad delivered a dramatic performance in the men’s freeski big air final, edging out strong American competition with a final run that sealed gold. In speed skating, Italy thrilled the home crowd with a surprise victory in the men’s team pursuit, defeating the heavily favored United States. Canada successfully defended its title in the women’s team pursuit, adding to an already intense medal race.
Weather has always been part of the Olympic story, especially at the Winter Games. But every delay reshapes momentum. Athletes must reset mentally. Coaches adjust strategies. Fans wait longer for defining moments.
The big question now is how quickly conditions improve and whether the revised schedule can run smoothly in the coming days. With medals still on the line and national pride at stake, every hour matters.
Stay with us for continuing coverage of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics as schedules shift, champions rise and the Games push forward despite the storm.
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