Olympic Alpine Snowboard Stars Shine in Livigno
The snowboarding events for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics have kicked off in Italy, drawing top athletes from around the globe. The Livigno Snow Park in the scenic Italian Alps hosts these thrilling competitions, where excitement and anticipation are building among competitors and fans.
Key Events and Dates in Livigno
The Olympic snowboarding program began after the opening ceremony, with the first competitive action occurring on February 5, featuring Big Air qualifying runs. As we approach February 7, the spotlight shifts to the much-anticipated Men’s Big Air event, scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time. This event marks the first chance to win Olympic medals in snowboarding at these Games.
Parallel Giant Slalom Showdown
The real highlight arrives on February 8, when the Parallel Giant Slalom (PGS) events take center stage. In this exciting competition, both men and women will face off for a shot at the podium. The qualification events will begin at 3 a.m. Eastern Time, culminating in the finals at 8:45 a.m.
Top Contenders for Gold
- Maurizio Bormolini (Italy) – The number-one seed and defending World Cup champion, with three wins this season.
- Roland Fischnaller (Italy) – Veteran snowboarder at 45 years old, aiming for a medal at his home Games.
- Aaron March (Italy) – Leads the overall parallel standings, with five podium finishes this season.
- Benjamin Karl (Austria) – Olympic legend and three-time medalist making his final Winter Games appearance.
- Ester Ledecka (Czech Republic) – Two-time defending champion in women’s PGS, returning to compete after a season focused on Alpine skiing.
- Tsubaki Miki (Japan) – Defending World Cup champion riding a wave of momentum into the Games.
Emerging Talents
Alongside seasoned veterans, a new generation of athletes is poised to make an impact. For the Italian women, Elisa Caffont and Lucia Dalmasso are promising hopefuls. Caffont has already achieved five podiums this season, while Dalmasso has two wins to her name.
Upcoming Snowboarding Events
The snowboarding schedule remains intense, featuring various events leading up to the closing of the Games. Key upcoming dates include:
- February 8: Women’s Big Air Qualification
- February 9: Women’s Big Air Medal Event
- February 11-13: Halfpipe Qualifications and Finals
- February 12-15: Snowboard Cross Events
- February 16-18: Slopestyle Events
As viewers tune in on platforms like USA Network and NBCOlympics.com, the excitement in Livigno isn’t just in the performances, but also in witnessing legends strive for glory and new stars emerging. The unfolding drama of the 2026 Winter Olympics snowboarding events promises captivating moments and unforgettable stories yet to come.
