Audi FIS Ski World Cup 2025 Fondazione Cortina’s commitment to sport, inclusivity, and territory valorization

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Test event underway on Tofana in preparation for the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic games

 

Cortina d’Ampezzo, 17 January 2025 – The Audi FIS Ski World Cup 2025 kicks off in Cortina. Everything is set at Rumerlo, the finish area of the Olympia delle Tofane slope, the track that has represented the most iconic moment in women’s speed events since the early 1990s. On Saturday, January 18, and Sunday, January 19, athletes will compete on the “Queen of Speed” in downhill and super-G, respectively.

This year, representatives from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation will be present to monitor and evaluate the efficiency of operations in preparation for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Key areas of focus include rescue coordination, emergency management, and the effectiveness of radio communication systems, crucial for ensuring the safety and success of the Olympic competitions.

This test event not only represents an operational challenge but also an opportunity to showcase the expertise developed by Fondazione Cortina over years of managing the World Cup. These well-established skills will be a key element in ensuring organizational excellence during the Games and, more importantly, in building a significant legacy for the region beyond 2026.

Cortina’s commitment extends beyond the Olympics: it will also play a major role in the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic program, further reinforcing the message of inclusivity and sustainability of the Games. The ultimate goal is to leave a lasting impact: a legacy that enhances Cortina d’Ampezzo, the entire Belluno mountain region, and all involved communities, projecting these areas onto an international stage.

The Cortina Women’s Alpine Ski World Cup will therefore be an inclusive and accessible event, thanks to collaboration between the Fondazione Cortina, the Veneto Region, the Municipality of Cortina, and numerous volunteer associations, with solutions designed to ensure participation without barriers.

Initiatives include ramps for people with disabilities, tactile maps, audio guides, video interpretation in Italian Sign Language (LIS), and involving volunteers and young people with disabilities in the event staff. During the two days of competition, the agreement between the Fondazione Cortina and INAIL will also come to life, aiming to organize sports events inspired by inclusivity and promote sports as a tool for well-being and autonomy recovery.

The spirit of this commitment will also be embodied in the slogan “sNOw DIFFERENCE,” which will appear on athletes’ bibs, symbolizing a snow without differences, where every individual can experience the thrill of sports.

The entire Rumerlo finish area and surrounding areas have been designed without barriers, with two polyurethane driveways suitable for wheelchairs, strollers, and other mobility aids. Tactile maps will facilitate orientation for blind or visually impaired people, and an event audio guide developed in collaboration with the International Center of Spoken Book O.D.V. of Feltre will also be available. Finally, a dedicated volunteer team will be present to assist people with accessibility needs.

But the Cortina World Cup also looks to the future and to youth. Following last season’s success, 1,000 students from schools across Veneto will have the opportunity to participate in this year’s event. This initiative is part of the Fondazione Cortina “Schools Project,” aimed at promoting sports values and local ties, under the Protocol signed with the Veneto Region. Special attention is given to 21 students from the ITS Academy Turismo Veneto in Belluno, participating in an innovative training program during the World Cup. These projects also fit within the “Milano Cortina 2026 in Schools” project, part of Milano Cortina 2026’s Gen26 Education Programme, designed to introduce new generations to the values and opportunities offered by the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Lastly, but not least, attention is given to the territory and synergies with all local partners and institutions. During the two-day World Cup event, the Rumerlo finish area will be adorned in the color of “enrosadira”. This particular shade of pink, which tints the Dolomites at sunrise and sunset, will transform the grandstand, turning the most representative and visible point of the event into a celebration of the territory. This tribute stems from collaboration between the Fondazione Cortina and the Fondazione DMO Dolomiti Bellunesi, aimed at promoting and valorizing the Dolomiti Bellunesi and the entire territory, projecting them towards new prestigious milestones and international recognition.

In this context, sports and major events, such as the Cortina Women’s Alpine Ski World Cup, become fundamental tools for achieving these objectives, serving as an ideal showcase to highlight the extraordinary natural, cultural, and scenic beauty of this unique area in the world. In addition to alpine skiing, special attention will also be given to other sports disciplines, notably curling. This year, Cortina will host the Junior World Championships in this sport, a testing ground for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.