Alpine Skiing Women's Downhill Training Canceled as Heavy Snow Blankets Cortina on Day One of Milano Cortina 2026

Heavy snowfalls and unfavorable weather conditions forced race organizers to cancel the first official women's downhill training session at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Thursday, with hopes that improved weather on Friday, February 6 would allow the world's fastest female Alpine skiers to finally test the iconic Cortina course. The cancellation affected dozens of competitors, including American comeback star Lindsey Vonn and Italian home favorite Sofia Goggia, who are preparing for Sunday's Olympic downhill race on one of the most storied mountains in Alpine skiing history. The next scheduled training opportunity was set for Friday at 5:30 a.m. ET, weather permitting, though continued snowfall in the Dolomites region threatened to complicate the preparation schedule for the marquee speed event. The women's downhill at Milano Cortina 2026 represents one of the most anticipated competitions of the entire Winter Olympics, featuring a compelling narrative that extends beyond athletic performance. Italy's Sofia Goggia, the 2018 Olympic champion and 2022 silver medalist, will compete on home snow in front of passionate Italian fans who view her as a national sporting icon. Goggia declared herself "physically fit and skiing well" ahead of the Games, expressing confidence despite the intense pressure of competing at home. Her showdown with Lindsey Vonn adds an additional layer of intrigue, as the 41-year-old American legend is attempting to compete at Milano Cortina 2026 despite recently suffering a completely ruptured ACL. Vonn's presence alone has generated enormous media attention and raised questions about whether she can challenge for medals while managing such a significant injury. The cancellation of training sessions due to weather represents a familiar challenge in Alpine skiing, where competition schedules often must adapt to mountain conditions. Race organizers at Cortina faced a difficult decision between allowing skiers to train in dangerous conditions or postponing sessions to ensure athlete safety. The Cortina course is considered one of the most technically demanding downhill tracks in the world, featuring high-speed sections, technical turns, and challenging terrain that requires racers to have multiple training runs to learn the proper lines and build confidence. Without adequate training opportunities, skiers face increased risk of mistakes during the actual competition, making weather-related cancellations a significant concern for athletes and coaches. Beyond Vonn and Goggia, the women's downhill field includes several other medal contenders who were affected by the training cancellation. American racer Breezy Johnson, who has established herself as one of the top speed specialists on the World Cup circuit, needs training time to fine-tune her approach to the Cortina venue. Germany's Emma Aicher represents another rising talent in the speed disciplines, and several Austrian and Swiss competitors also arrived in Italy with realistic medal aspirations. The depth of the women's downhill field ensures that even minor preparation disruptions could influence the final results, as the margins between podium positions and fourth place often come down to hundredths of a second. As Friday's weather window approached, athletes and coaches monitored forecasts closely while preparing their equipment and reviewing video analysis of the Cortina course. The Sunday, February 8 competition date for the women's downhill remains one of the most highly anticipated moments of Milano Cortina 2026, with global television audiences expected to tune in for the crowning of the "Queen of Speed." Whether the training schedule proceeds as planned or requires further adjustments, the stage is set for a memorable Olympic downhill that will test the courage, technical skill, and mental fortitude of the world's best female Alpine skiers. The battle between Goggia on home snow and Vonn's remarkable comeback story ensures that this race will be remembered as one of the defining moments of the 2026 Winter Games.