CHAOS IN CORTINA: Why The Women’s Giant Slalom Is Being Called “Too Dangerous”

This isn’t a race anymore. It’s a survival test.

If you woke up early to watch Mikaela Shiffrin chase Gold in the Giant Slalom, you probably noticed something terrified in the eyes of the skiers in the start gate. They aren’t just focused—they are scared.

The Olympia delle Tofane course in Cortina is legendary for being steep, but today? It’s arguably unsafe. A sudden temperature drop overnight has turned the “Tofanaschuss” section into a literal sheet of ice, and we are watching world-class athletes slip out like beginners.

Here is what is happening on the mountain right now, and why Team USA is furious.

The “Ice Sheet” Controversy

Let’s get technical for a second. You want a hard surface for ski racing. Hard snow means speed.

But there is a line between “hard snow” and “hockey rink ice,” and organizers crossed it today. Officials injected water into the course yesterday to firm it up, but the temperature plummeted to -12°F overnight. The result?

Zero grip.

Even the edges of the skis, which are razor-sharp, aren’t biting into the turn. We saw Alice Robinson (NZL)—one of the strongest skiers on tour—slide out on the very first gate. If she can’t hold an edge, nobody can.

Shiffrin’s Run: “I Held My Breath”

Mikaela Shiffrin dropped in with Bib #4. After her heartbreak in the Team Combined earlier this week, the pressure was already suffocating.

Her run wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t the fluid, dancing style we are used to. It was a battle.

She checked her speed aggressively before the “Delta” jump—a move that cost her about 0.40 seconds but likely saved her race. While she is currently sitting in 3rd position (+0.62 behind the leader), the interview she gave in the finish area is what everyone is talking about.

“I wasn’t racing the clock. I was racing the mountain. I felt my outside ski go away three times. Honestly? I’m just glad to be standing.” — Mikaela Shiffrin

List of DNFs (Did Not Finish)

The casualty list is growing by the minute. Out of the first 15 racers, four have crashed out.

• Petra Vlhova (SVK): Safe, but lost a ski in the mid-section.
• Nina O’Brien (USA): Scary crash near the finish line (she walked away, thankfully).
• Marta Bassino (ITA): The home favorite hooked a gate on the icy traverse.

The Danger Zone:
The issue is the lighting. The sun is currently creating a “flat light” shadow over the iciest part of the course. Racers can’t see the ice until they are already sliding on it.

Will Run 2 Be Cancelled?

This is the big question.

Coaches from Team Switzerland and Team USA have reportedly lodged a formal complaint with the FIS jury. They want the course “slipped” (roughed up) before the second run starts at 1:30 PM local time.

If they don’t fix this, Run 2 won’t be a race for Gold. It will be a roll of the dice.