{"id":18283,"date":"2026-02-07T07:05:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-07T07:05:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/milan-cortina-day1-downhill-malinin\/"},"modified":"2026-02-07T07:05:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-07T07:05:14","slug":"milan-cortina-day1-downhill-malinin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/milan-cortina-day1-downhill-malinin\/","title":{"rendered":"Day 1 at Milan Cortina: Men\u2019s downhill, Ilia Malinin, Jessie Diggins"},"content":{"rendered":"<article>\n<p><strong>Lead:<\/strong> The Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics open with the men\u2019s downhill at Stelvio Ski Center in Bormio as the first medal event on Saturday, with the race slated to start at 11:30 a.m. local time (1030 GMT, 5:30 a.m. ET) weather permitting. U.S. figure skating star Ilia Malinin will skate his short program in the team competition in Milan that evening, while American cross\u2011country veteran Jessie Diggins competes in the 20 km skiathlon in Val di Fiemme. A handful of other medal events \u2014 including women\u2019s normal\u2011hill ski jumping, men\u2019s snowboard big air and the women\u2019s 3,000m speedskate \u2014 round out Day 1 activity across northern Italy. The schedule and field combine established medal contenders and local favorites, shaping an unpredictable opening day.<\/p>\n<h2>Key takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Men\u2019s downhill at Bormio is the first medal event, scheduled for 11:30 a.m. local time; the course is the Stelvio Ski Center.<\/li>\n<li>Swiss racers Marco Odermatt and world champion Franjo von Allmen are top contenders among a deep podium field.<\/li>\n<li>Italy\u2019s Dominik Paris, 36 and competing in his fifth Games, seeks his first Olympic medal on a Bormio course where he has six World Cup downhill victories.<\/li>\n<li>U.S. skier Ryan Cochran\u2011Siegle posted the fastest time in Wednesday\u2019s opening downhill training session; he is a Beijing super\u2011G silver medalist.<\/li>\n<li>Ilia Malinin, two\u2011time reigning world champion and the favorite for Olympic men\u2019s singles gold, will skate his short program in the team event at 7:45 p.m. local time.<\/li>\n<li>Jessie Diggins, 34 and a three\u2011medal Olympic veteran, races the 20 km skiathlon at 1 p.m. local (1200 GMT, 7 a.m. ET) in Val di Fiemme; medals there could precede the downhill podium.<\/li>\n<li>The U.S. women\u2019s hockey team, fresh off a 5\u20111 win over Czechia, faces Finland at 4:40 p.m. local time; Finland\u2019s roster was affected by a norovirus outbreak earlier in the Games.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Background<\/h2>\n<p>The Milan Cortina Games combine alpine speed events in the northern reaches of Italy with figure skating and hockey staged closer to Milan. Historically, Bormio\u2019s Stelvio run is one of the most demanding downhill courses on the World Cup circuit and has often produced surprise results due to its steep pitches and variable conditions. That history amplifies attention on veterans such as Dominik Paris, who has built a reputation at Bormio with six World Cup downhill wins, and on younger challengers aiming to capitalize on any fluctuations in weather or snow.<\/p>\n<p>Figure skating\u2019s team event now spans three days, with short programs and rhythm dances contributing to aggregate standings before singles medals are contested. Ilia Malinin arrives as the reigning two\u2011time world champion and the overwhelming favorite in men\u2019s singles, making his team performance a marquee moment for U.S. supporters. Cross\u2011country competition in Val di Fiemme sits high in the Dolomites, where altitude and waxing conditions can materially affect outcomes \u2014 a factor that elevates the strategic importance of ski preparation for athletes like Jessie Diggins.<\/p>\n<h2>Main event<\/h2>\n<p>Men\u2019s downhill on the Stelvio is expected to feature a crowded list of podium contenders. Marco Odermatt of Switzerland and Franjo von Allmen (the current world champion) are among the names most often cited by oddsmakers and coaches, but the slope\u2019s complexity has allowed opportunists to break through in the past. The start window is 11:30 a.m. local time (1030 GMT, 5:30 a.m. ET) on Saturday, though organizers will monitor weather closely and could delay the run for safety.<\/p>\n<p>Italy\u2019s Dominik Paris carries local interest and experience: at 36, and in his fifth Olympics, he has yet to claim an Olympic medal but knows Bormio\u2019s terrain intimately. Young Italian Giovanni Franzoni also represents home hopes, while the U.S. contingent will look to Ryan Cochran\u2011Siegle and others after Cochran\u2011Siegle topped the opening downhill training session on Wednesday \u2014 a performance that signals form but does not guarantee a podium finish on race day.<\/p>\n<p>Ilia Malinin will perform his short program in the team event in Milan at 7:45 p.m. local time (1845 GMT, 1:45 p.m. ET). The United States led the standings going into the second day of the team competition, with Japan and Italy close behind; the U.S. free dance pair Madison Chock and Evan Bates \u2014 three\u2011time world champions \u2014 are expected to skate in the free dance segment. Team competition scoring will influence medal prospects for individual events later in the week.<\/p>\n<p>Jessie Diggins, a 34\u2011year\u2011old from Minnesota, races the 20 km skiathlon at 1 p.m. local time (1200 GMT, 7 a.m. ET). Diggins already has a complete set of Olympic medals from earlier Games and has announced plans to retire at the end of the season; she is a favorite for a strong result but faces a field of experienced Scandinavians and rising competitors who favor classic and skate techniques across the skiathlon format.<\/p>\n<h2>Analysis &#038; implications<\/h2>\n<p>The opening downhill as the first medal event places early national narratives on the line: a Swiss win would reinforce their alpine dominance, while an Italian podium \u2014 especially from Paris or Franzoni \u2014 would energize local audiences and media. Bormio\u2019s Stelvio has produced galling course\u2011set challenges in past seasons, so athletes who can manage risk without sacrificing speed typically fare best. Alpine results here could shape team morale and media attention for the remainder of the alpine program.<\/p>\n<p>In figure skating, Malinin\u2019s team short program carries dual significance: it contributes points to the U.S. team total and serves as a high\u2011pressure preview of his individual campaign. A clean short program bolsters momentum and reduces the margin for error entering singles competition; conversely, an uncharacteristic mistake would invite scrutiny and tactical recalibration from the athlete and coaching staff. For Chock and Bates, a strong free dance keeps U.S. depth evident and may relieve pressure on the singles skaters.<\/p>\n<p>Jessie Diggins\u2019 skiathlon performance could produce an early cross\u2011country medal and possibly precede the downhill podium, altering the day\u2019s headline order. Val di Fiemme\u2019s conditions \u2014 particularly snow texture and temperature \u2014 will influence waxing choices and stamina over 20 kilometers. For Diggins, an Olympic medal on Day 1 would both extend her medal collection and set the tone for her final competitive season.<\/p>\n<p>Team sports also matter: the U.S. women\u2019s hockey victory over Czechia and the pending game with Finland will test roster depth after Finland\u2019s norovirus\u2011related disruption. If Finland returns a full complement of players, the matchup will offer a clearer measure of both teams\u2019 short\u2011term form; if not, tournament dynamics could shift, affecting group standings and knockout seeding down the line.<\/p>\n<h2>Comparison &#038; data<\/h2>\n<figure>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Event<\/th>\n<th>Location<\/th>\n<th>Local start<\/th>\n<th>GMT\/ET<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Men\u2019s downhill<\/td>\n<td>Stelvio Ski Center, Bormio<\/td>\n<td>11:30 a.m.<\/td>\n<td>1030 GMT \/ 5:30 a.m. ET<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>20 km skiathlon (women)<\/td>\n<td>Val di Fiemme<\/td>\n<td>1:00 p.m.<\/td>\n<td>1200 GMT \/ 7:00 a.m. ET<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Figure skating team (short\/free)<\/td>\n<td>Milan<\/td>\n<td>7:45 p.m.<\/td>\n<td>1845 GMT \/ 1:45 p.m. ET<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Women\u2019s hockey (USA\u2013Finland)<\/td>\n<td>Milan<\/td>\n<td>4:40 p.m.<\/td>\n<td>1540 GMT \/ 10:40 a.m. ET<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><figcaption>Key Day 1 start times and venues; times subject to weather and final scheduling.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The table highlights the geographic spread and timing pressure for broadcasters and teams: alpine events in the mountains often run earlier and can be delayed for visibility or wind, while indoor events in Milan follow later in the day. This temporal mix means medal ceremonies and podium moments may arrive in a different order than local start times suggest, particularly if weather impacts alpine starts.<\/p>\n<h2>Reactions &#038; quotes<\/h2>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;The men\u2019s downhill is scheduled to start at 11:30 a.m. local time, pending weather checks.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>International Olympic Committee (official schedule)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;Ryan Cochran\u2011Siegle was the fastest in Wednesday\u2019s opening downhill training session.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>Event training report \/ FIS<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;The U.S. opened with a 5\u20111 win over Czechia and now face Finland in their second group game.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>USA Hockey (match report)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<aside>\n<details>\n<summary>Explainer: How the figure skating team event works<\/summary>\n<p>The team event aggregates points from men\u2019s and women\u2019s short programs, pairs, and ice dance rhythm\/free segments across three days. Each discipline awards placement points that sum to a team total; the top teams after the scheduled segments earn team medals, and individual performances also serve as momentum indicators for later single\u2011skater events. Judges score technical elements and program components; small errors can have outsized impact given the compressed team scoring format. Teams may choose to field different skaters in free segments, adding strategic depth to lineup decisions.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/aside>\n<h2>Unconfirmed<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Whether medals in Val di Fiemme\u2019s skiathlon will be awarded before the downhill podium depends on the downhill start remaining on schedule; timing could change with weather.<\/li>\n<li>Finland\u2019s full roster recovery from a norovirus outbreak remains uncertain as teams continue to monitor player health and official clearances.<\/li>\n<li>Any late alterations to downhill start times due to wind, visibility or snow conditions were not finalized at the time of reporting.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Bottom line<\/h2>\n<p>Day 1 of Milan Cortina 2026 blends alpine speed, endurance skiing and marquee skating moments that together create an unpredictable, high\u2011stakes opening slate. The Stelvio downhill\u2019s reputation for challenge makes it a headline act \u2014 but early cross\u2011country results or a strong team skating performance could reframe the day\u2019s top stories.<\/p>\n<p>Watch for experience versus form: veterans like Dominik Paris and Jessie Diggins bring course knowledge and Olympic pedigree, while favorites such as Marco Odermatt and Ilia Malinin carry expectations that will be tested under Olympic pressure. Weather and health developments (notably Finland\u2019s roster situation) are the main variables that could reshape outcomes and schedules on Saturday.<\/p>\n<h2>Sources<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/winter-olympics-what-to-watch-milan-cortina-1f78036873c5d23bedae83eee80791f7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AP News \u2014 Milan Cortina guide (news)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/olympics.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">International Olympic Committee \u2014 official schedule (official)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fis-ski.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FIS \u2014 training and race reports (sports federation)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teamusa.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">USA Team \/ USA Hockey \u2014 match and athlete reports (national team)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lead: The Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics open with the men\u2019s downhill at Stelvio Ski Center in Bormio as the first medal event on Saturday, with the race slated to start at 11:30 a.m. local time (1030 GMT, 5:30 a.m. ET) weather permitting. U.S. figure skating star Ilia Malinin will skate his short program in &#8230; <a title=\"Day 1 at Milan Cortina: Men\u2019s downhill, Ilia Malinin, Jessie Diggins\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/milan-cortina-day1-downhill-malinin\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Day 1 at Milan Cortina: Men\u2019s downhill, Ilia Malinin, Jessie Diggins\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18280,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_title":"Day 1 at Milan Cortina: Men\u2019s downhill, Malinin \u2014 Olympics Digest","rank_math_description":"Preview of Day 1 at Milan Cortina 2026: men\u2019s downhill at Bormio, Ilia Malinin in the figure skating team event, Jessie Diggins in the skiathlon, plus hockey and other medal races.","rank_math_focus_keyword":"milan cortina,men's downhill,ilia malinin,jessie diggins","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18283","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18283","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18283"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18283\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18280"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18283"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18283"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18283"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}