Alice Robinson Eyes Giant Slalom Glory at Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – Recent Zealand’s Alice Robinson is poised to compete in the giant slalom final at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, demonstrating a “relaxed” and “calm” demeanor according to her coach, Nils Coberger. This comes after a strong showing in training and physiotherapy sessions leading up to the event on the Olympia delle Tofane slope.
Preparation and Training
Coberger reported that Robinson skied well during her final two-hour training run and has been receiving physiotherapy treatment to ensure she is in peak condition for the race. The weather forecast predicts overcast conditions, but a potential temperature drop is hoped to create firmer ice, a contrast to the challenging soft snow experienced during the Super G event on Thursday evening.
Super G Performance and World Cup Ranking
Robinson finished eighth in the Super G event, a discipline where she currently holds a second-place World Cup ranking this season. In the giant slalom, the 24-year-traditional has secured two World Cup victories this season, the most recent occurring two months ago in Canada. She currently sits in fifth place in the World Cup giant slalom rankings.
Growth as an Athlete
Coberger highlighted Robinson’s significant growth as both an athlete and a person since the 2022 Winter Olympics, where she finished 22nd in giant slalom, 25th in downhill and did not finish the Super G. “Her mindset, she’s not trying to push as hard, she understands when to use tactics, she’s a wiser, older skier than she was four years ago,” Coberger stated.
Course Setting and Aerodynamic Testing
Adding a unique element to Robinson’s preparation, she underwent aerodynamic drag testing with High Performance Sport New Zealand’s Innovation team in Auckland. The testing involved Robinson holding various body positions – tuck, half tuck, and standing – within a wind tunnel to measure aerodynamic drag. Simon Briscoe, HPSNZ Head of Innovation, explained that even small differences in position can significantly impact aerodynamic drag, a crucial factor in a sport where fractions of a second determine success.
Course Design Philosophy
Notably, Nils Coberger was selected as the course setter for the first run of the giant slalom, a role determined by a random draw among the top 15 athletes. Coberger described his approach to course design, prioritizing athlete enjoyment. “They have to enjoy it – I don’t set difficult courses or tricky courses or courses that catch people out,” he said. He focused on creating a course that was challenging but fair, particularly on the flatter sections, to avoid excessive fatigue after a demanding week of competition.
Recent Giant Slalom Result
Robinson recently competed in the Giant Slalom at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, finishing in eighth place, just 0.80 seconds behind winner Federica Brignone (ITA) and 0.18 seconds off the silver medal position. The conditions were ideal, with clear skies and cold temperatures providing the hard and fast snow necessary for competitive ski racing. Robinson described the course as one of the most challenging giant slalom hills she has encountered, emphasizing the difficulty presented by its rollers and changes in direction.