Aerial Skiing Schedule Thrown into Disarray by Severe Weather
Australian aerial skiers are facing a gruelling schedule change after a severe 48-hour weather event in Livigno forced the cancellation of qualifying rounds and the consolidation of events. Both the women’s and men’s qualifying sessions, initially slated for Tuesday, were abandoned minutes before their scheduled start due to a relentless snowstorm.
By 1pm local time, which was 11pm AEDT, officials made the difficult decision to cancel all events for the day, citing significant safety concerns. A critical factor in this decision was the inability of helicopters to fly into the venue, which posed a serious risk should an athlete require immediate medical evacuation.
“It’s certainly disappointing that we couldn’t get out there and compete today, but the safety of our athletes is paramount,” stated Australia’s aerials coach, Renee McElduff. “If their safety is compromised, then it’s absolutely the right call to postpone.”
Beyond the immediate safety risks, heavy snowfall also presents performance challenges. The increased snow depth can significantly slow down the skiers’ run-up. This is particularly problematic for athletes at the top of the start list, potentially affecting their jump height and, consequently, the complexity of the tricks they can perform. Furthermore, poor visibility can make landings considerably more difficult and hazardous.
As a direct consequence of the cancellations, the entire women’s programme will now be condensed into a single day on Wednesday, with the men’s programme following suit on Thursday. Typically, Olympic aerial competitions are spread over two days, allowing for separate qualifying and finals sessions.
While this compressed format will undoubtedly place greater physical demands on the athletes, Coach McElduff expressed confidence in the Australian team’s ability to adapt. She noted that the revised schedule mirrors the format commonly used in World Cup events, a situation the team is well-accustomed to.
“Our usual routine, especially for the women, involves morning qualifications, a break, and then afternoon finals,” McElduff explained. “So, this is a format they’re very familiar with, perhaps even more so than the original Olympic schedule. They’ll be ready to tackle it.”
She added, “While it’s a greater volume of jumping in a single day, it’s something they train for extensively. In fact, I think it might actually play to our advantage. They know it, they like it, and it can build momentum.”
McElduff acknowledged that the extended wait and the shift in format might be more unsettling for less experienced competitors. However, she highlighted the invaluable support system within the Australian team, comprising several seasoned champions who can offer guidance.
Among those providing support is Laura Peel, 36, who, despite being ruled out of competition due to an ACL injury, remains in Livigno. Olympic gold medallists Alisa Camplin and Lydia Lassila are also present, with Camplin serving as chef de mission and Lassila as a Nine commentator.
“Having three aerial skiing champions offering their wisdom and advice is a huge asset,” McElduff remarked. “It’s comforting for the athletes to see familiar faces who understand exactly what they’re going through. They can offer a word of encouragement, a hug, and help strengthen our team spirit.”
Experienced aerialist Danielle Scott, 35, competing in her fourth Olympic Games, is another source of advice for her teammates. Her fellow competitors, Abbey Willcox, 29, Airleigh Frigo, 26, and the late call-up Sidney Stephens, 23, are all making their Olympic debuts at Milano Cortina 2026.
The men’s competition, featuring Australian Reilly Flanagan, will also now follow the pattern of a morning qualifying session followed by an afternoon final.
The aerials competition was not the sole event disrupted by the adverse weather on Tuesday. The women’s snowboard slopestyle final, which included 16-year-old Australian Ally Hickman, was also postponed. This event has been rescheduled for 12:30 am AEDT on Thursday.
This marks the second consecutive day of significant snowfall in Livigno. Organisers had already made the proactive decision to cancel all events scheduled for Monday, with the exception of the women’s freestyle ski final. That event, after a several-hour delay, eventually commenced late in the day once a brief respite in the challenging conditions allowed. Canada’s Megan Oldham ultimately secured the gold medal in that competition.
