Milano Cortina 2026: Fog Interrupts Downhill Training as Nina Ortlieb and Lindsey Vonn Take to the Slopes
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, 08 February 2026 – The women’s downhill event at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics faced significant disruption today as heavy fog descended upon the course, forcing officials to pause proceedings shortly after Austria’s Nina Ortlieb completed her run.
Weather Halts Training Progress
Visibility issues became the primary concern for race organisers during the final training sessions. The session was officially interrupted and paused after the fifth skier, Nina Ortlieb, reached the finish line. The Austrian specialist, who is the daughter of former Olympic champion Patrick Ortlieb, found herself at the centre of the delay as officials monitored the thick fog covering the mid-section of the course.
Ortlieb, a two-time Junior World Champion and silver medallist at the 2023 World Championships, remains a key medal hope for the Austrian contingent. Despite the stop-start nature of the morning, her performance in the earlier practice sessions had already placed her amongst the top contenders, recently tying for fourth place in preliminary runs alongside compatriot Ariane Rädler.
Vonn Defies Injury for Olympic Return
While the weather caused immediate logistical headaches, the narrative of the day remained focused on American veteran Lindsey Vonn. At 41 years of age, Vonn is attempting a remarkable return to Olympic competition. Her presence in the training line-up comes just days after she suffered a complete rupture of the ACL in her left knee during a World Cup event in Crans-Montana.
Despite the severity of the injury—which includes bone bruising and meniscus damage—Vonn successfully completed a training run this week. She has expressed her firm intention to compete in the Sunday downhill final, a feat that has stunned medical professionals and fellow competitors alike.
Athlete Profile: Nina Ortlieb
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nina Ortlieb |
| Nationality | Austrian |
| Date of Birth | 02 April 1996 |
| Height | 1.78 m |
| Notable Achievement | World Championship Silver (Downhill) |
| Family | Daughter of Patrick Ortlieb (Olympic Gold Medallist) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the downhill training paused today?
The training session was halted due to dense fog covering a significant portion of the course in Cortina d’Ampezzo, creating unsafe conditions for the athletes. The pause occurred immediately after Nina Ortlieb’s run.
Is Nina Ortlieb related to Patrick Ortlieb?
Yes, Nina is the daughter of Patrick Ortlieb, the renowned Austrian skier who won Olympic gold in the downhill at the 1992 Albertville Games and a World Championship title in 1996.
Will Lindsey Vonn compete in the final race?
Despite a recently ruptured ACL and meniscus damage sustained in Switzerland, Lindsey Vonn has completed her training runs and intends to start the downhill race scheduled for Sunday, 08 February 2026.