sliding centre cortina
The Cortina Sliding Centre (Cortina Sliding Centre “Eugenio Monti”) is the newly built sliding sports venue in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, created for bobsleigh, skeleton and luge at the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
What the Cortina Sliding Centre is
- It is a purpose-built ice track in the Dolomite Mountains, near the alpine resort town of Cortina d’Ampezzo in Veneto, Italy.
- The venue replaces the historic but now-demolished Cortina track, which dated back to the 1920s and hosted major events including the 1956 Winter Olympics and several World Championships.
Key facts and technical details
- Track length: about 1,730–1,749 meters for the main run, extending to around 1,800 meters when additional start sections are included.
- Number of curves: 16.
- Maximum speed: designed for top speeds up to about 145 km/h.
- Expected run time: roughly 55–60 seconds per race.
- Sports hosted:
- Bobsleigh (4-man, 2-man, 2-woman, women’s monobob).
* Skeleton (men’s, women’s, mixed team).
* Luge (men’s and women’s singles, doubles, and team relay).
- The facility is designed to be accessible for athletes with disabilities.
Construction, timeline and Olympic role
- The old Cortina track, long abandoned, began to be demolished in March 2023 after it was deemed unsuitable for modern competition and safety standards.
- After long debate over cost, sustainability, and whether to use an existing foreign track instead, Italy proceeded with a brand-new sliding centre in Cortina.
- The works contract was awarded in January 2024, with on-site construction activities starting in February 2024.
- Pre-homologation (test and certification phase) was scheduled for late March 2025, with completion set for November 2025 and then handover to the Milan–Cortina 2026 organizing bodies.
- Before the Olympics, the track is planned to host training sessions for international federations and at least one major event such as an IBSF World Cup and an official luge test event.
Design, legacy and local impact
- The redevelopment is structured in three stages:
- Removal of obsolete sections of the old track (with some parts preserved for museum use).
- Construction of the new sliding track, partially following the historical alignment, integrated into about 7 hectares of mountain landscape using more sustainable materials and methods.
- Creation of a memorial area dedicated to the history of local sliding sports.
- Local and international discussions have focused on legacy and cost: supporters say the venue will make Cortina an international hub for sliding sports and a key training base for Italian and foreign athletes; critics have raised concerns about long‑term use and environmental impact once the Games are over.
Quick view of main specs
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Cortina d’Ampezzo, Dolomites, Veneto, Italy. |
| Official name | Cortina Sliding Centre “Eugenio Monti”. |
| Main purpose | Bobsleigh, skeleton, luge for Milan–Cortina 2026. |
| Track length | Approx. 1,730–1,749 m (about 1,800 m including all starts). |
| Curves | 16. |
| Max speed | Up to ~145 km/h. |
| Sports | Bobsleigh (multiple events), skeleton (men, women, mixed), luge (singles, doubles, relay). |
| Construction start | Main works from February 2024. |
| Planned completion | November 2025, ahead of 2026 Winter Olympics. |
| Legacy features | Memorial area, some preserved old-track elements, training hub role. |