The penultimately day of competition at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is underway, with several Italian athletes poised to compete for medals across a range of disciplines. Saturday, February 21st, features highly anticipated events including the 50km mass start in cross-country skiing, ski cross, and the final career race for biathlon legend Dorothea Wierer. The day also includes action in bob, ski alpinism, and speed skating, showcasing the breadth of Italian talent on home snow.
Among those competing is Federico Pellegrino, a two-time Olympic silver medalist in cross-country skiing, who will be making his final appearance at the Games. His participation in the 50km mass start marks the complete of an illustrious career, adding emotional weight to an already compelling race. The Italian team is also looking to Simone Deromedis, Edoardo Zorzi, and Federico Tomasoni to deliver strong performances in the ski cross event, hoping to challenge for a podium finish.
The women’s biathlon mass start at Antholz-Anterselva holds particular significance as it represents the last competitive race for Dorothea Wierer, a celebrated figure in the sport. Alongside Wierer, Lisa Vittozzi, fresh off a gold medal in the 10km pursuit, will also be vying for a medal, adding to the excitement for Italian fans. Speed skating will also see Francesca Lollobrigida and Andrea Giovannini compete in the mass start events.
The schedule is packed with opportunities for Italian athletes to shine, and fans can follow the action throughout the day. Here’s a detailed look at the events and timings:
Today’s Schedule of Events for Italian Athletes
Here’s a breakdown of the schedule for Italian athletes competing on February 21st:
- 10:00 AM: Bob – Four-man bob, Heat 1 (Patrick Baumgartner, Lorenzo Bilotti, Eric Fantazzini, Robert Gino Mircea)
- 11:57 AM: Bob – Four-man bob, Heat 2 (Patrick Baumgartner, Lorenzo Bilotti, Eric Fantazzini, Robert Gino Mircea)
- 10:00 AM: Ski Cross – Men’s seeding (Simone Deromedis, Federico Tomasoni, Edoardo Zorzi, Dominik Zuech) – Potential final at 1:10 PM
- 11:00 AM: Cross-Country Skiing – Men’s 50km mass start classic (Elia Barp, Simone Daprà, Federico Pellegrino)
- 1:30 PM: Ski Alpinism – Mixed team sprint final (Michele Boscacci, Alba De Silvestro)
- 2:15 PM: Biathlon – Women’s 12.5km mass start (Lisa Vittozzi, Dorothea Wierer)
- 3:00 PM: Speed Skating – Men’s mass start semifinals (Daniele Di Stefano, Andrea Giovannini, Riccardo Lorello) – Potential final at 4:40 PM
- 3:50 PM: Speed Skating – Women’s mass start semifinals (Francesca Lollobrigida) – Potential final at 5:15 PM
- 7:00 PM: Bob – Women’s two-woman bob, Heat 3 (Giada Andreutti, Anna Costella, Simona De Silvestro, Alessia Gatti)
- 9:05 PM: Bob – Women’s two-woman bob, Heat 4 (Giada Andreutti, Anna Costella, Simona De Silvestro, Alessia Gatti)
Pellegrino’s Farewell and Wierer’s Last Stand
The 50km mass start in cross-country skiing is set to be a memorable event, not only for the competition itself but also for the farewell appearance of Federico Pellegrino. At 36, Pellegrino is concluding a distinguished career, and the race provides a final opportunity to compete on Italian soil. The event also features Johannes Klaebo of Norway, who is aiming to become the first athlete to win six gold medals in a single Winter Olympics, according to Corriere.it.
Meanwhile, Dorothea Wierer’s final biathlon race is expected to draw significant attention. Wierer, alongside teammate Lisa Vittozzi, will be looking to add to Italy’s medal count in what promises to be an emotional event at Antholz-Anterselva.
What to Expect Next
As the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics move towards their conclusion, the focus will shift to the remaining events and the final medal tallies. The performances of Italian athletes like Pellegrino, Wierer, and Vittozzi will undoubtedly be closely watched, as will the continued pursuit of medals in sports like bob and speed skating. The final days of competition promise to deliver more thrilling moments and unforgettable stories from these Winter Games.
Share your thoughts on the Italian team’s performance and your favorite moments from the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in the comments below!
