On 21 February 2026 the bob at Cortina was stopped after a crash that injured Austrian pilot Jakob Mandlbauer; Italy celebrated a ski cross double by Simone Deromedis and Federico Tomasoni and Norway's Johannes Klaebo won the 50 km
21 proved dramatic at the Milano–Cortina Winter Games: a frightening bobsleigh crash in Cortina left Austrian pilot Jakob Mandlbauer injured and hospitalised, while elsewhere in Italy the hosts celebrated a rare ski cross one-two in Livigno. Norway, meanwhile, reinforced its stranglehold on Nordic skiing with a commanding win in the 50 km cross-country.
Bobsleigh: crash halts men’s four-man session During the first phase of the day on the new Eugenio Monti track, an Austrian four-man sled overturned, bringing the session to an immediate halt. Rescue crews moved swiftly. Medics stabilised pilot Jakob Mandlbauer at the scene, placed him on a stretcher and transferred him to hospital; his three teammates were able to walk away from the wreck under their own power.
Officials suspended competition roughly twenty minutes after the accident to prioritise extraction, medical care and a thorough inspection of the run. Track marshals and the event medical team followed established emergency protocols—stabilisation, cautious extraction and secure transfer to awaiting medical transport—while technical staff began checks to determine whether practice or racing could safely resume.
Organisers stressed that any restart would depend on clearance from medical and safety officers and the outcome of the track inspection. Fans, athletes and broadcasters spent the afternoon managing communications as authorities reviewed the programme.
Livigno: Italy delivers a one-two in ski cross While the bobsleigh programme remained under review, Livigno provided a welcome boost for the hosts. Simone Deromedis claimed gold in the men’s ski cross and teammate Federico Tomasoni edged him in a photo finish for silver. Heavy snowfall made the course even more demanding, but the two Italians controlled their lines and timing in the big final to seal a memorable one-two that delighted the home crowd and padded Italy’s medal count at Milano–Cortina 2026.
Both Deromedis and Tomasoni had cruised through the heats and semifinals, posting consistently clean runs and disciplined lap times that signalled tactical maturity and strong team coordination. Their success offered a bright counterpoint to the sombre scenes unfolding in Cortina.
Nordic skiing: Klæbo dominates the 50 km as Italy loses a favourite On the same day, Norway’s Johannes Klæbo stamped his authority on the 50 km mass start (classic technique), executing a powerful, relentless ride that extended Norway’s dominance in the endurance disciplines. Race splits showed a clear gulf between the leading trio and the chasers; officials confirmed the course preparation and timing were standard and that the race unfolded without incident.
Italy’s hopes in that event were weakened by the late withdrawal of Federico Pellegrino, who did not start after contracting influenza. Pellegrino publicly expressed his disappointment at missing a high-profile home appearance. In his absence Simone Daprà and Elia Barp completed the distance but finished well down the order.
Broadcast controversy and apologies The day’s coverage was overshadowed when an off-air remark—caught at the start of a live transmission—suggested broadcasters should “avoid” a crew identified as Israeli. The comment provoked immediate criticism. Rai Sport apologised, launched internal checks and said it would review editorial and technical procedures to prevent a recurrence.
The Osservatorio Israele labelled the remark discriminatory and demanded clarity; civil-society groups and opposition politicians called for a full explanation of how it occurred during live coverage. Competition organisers said their focus remained on sporting matters but pledged to cooperate with any media inquiries. Broadcasters are under scrutiny as authorities decide whether further steps are necessary.
What this means for the rest of the Games The bobsleigh stoppage and Mandlbauer’s evacuation were a stark reminder of the risks of sliding sports and of why strict safety protocols and rapid medical response exist. Organisers said they would closely review scheduling, course management and safety procedures to reduce disruption and protect athletes. Competitions will continue only under careful oversight, with decisions to resume based on medical clearance and track inspections.
Bobsleigh: crash halts men’s four-man session During the first phase of the day on the new Eugenio Monti track, an Austrian four-man sled overturned, bringing the session to an immediate halt. Rescue crews moved swiftly. Medics stabilised pilot Jakob Mandlbauer at the scene, placed him on a stretcher and transferred him to hospital; his three teammates were able to walk away from the wreck under their own power.0
