‘We were worried the ice was going to crack’: Curling official on Olympic challenges

Curling ice sheets are prepared ahead of the first competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO — Hockey isn’t the only sport dealing with the last-minute rush to get everything prepared in time for the Milan Cortina Olympics.

The icemaking crew at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium has been dealing with its share of challenges, too.

The four sheets appeared to be in good shape Wednesday for the opening night of round-robin competition after ice technicians cleared some late hurdles as workers continued preparations outside.

“It’s really hard to make ice when everything else gets built (outside the rink) because the doors are open constantly, so you’re getting outside air, and you can’t test (anything),” said longtime curling icemaker Hans Wuthrich, who’s serving as a consultant at the Games. “Like yesterday, they were still building these ramps, the doors were open non-stop.

“And the night before, seven doors were left open all night long, and the temperature was six degrees in here instead of 15. So we were worried the ice was going to crack.”

Ramps are used by reporters, volunteers, broadcast crews and workers to get to the rink’s adjacent facilities like the venue media centre, service centres, offices, washrooms and lounge areas.

Despite the late hiccups, the venue looked pristine at ice level during the morning and afternoon training sessions. Mixed doubles competition begins two days before the Games’ opening ceremony.

Construction delays and concerns about the new Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan have generated headlines for weeks, but that venue appears ready for competition after a furious push to the finish.

In Cortina, some 400 kilometres away, finishing touches were still being done behind the scenes at the 70-year-old curling venue.

One coach wore flip-flops to avoid dirtying her regular shoes as she walked through the mixed zone interview area, pointing out that the area was in dire need of a vacuum.

“It’s different problems in different places, but this is pretty tough,” Wuthrich said. “They’re so far behind with everything, right? The building is still not (fully) cleaned (and) that’s a big step.”

Above the ice, an elaborate camera setup was set to provide shots that curling viewers don’t get to see in non-Olympic competition. One curler wore sunglasses at the training session, perhaps to blunt the intense lighting in the 3,450-seat arena.

“It’s beautiful out there, and they’ve done a great job making it look super magical,” said Canada’s Jocelyn Peterman, who is teaming with husband Brett Gallant. “(The) rings are everywhere and (it’s) exactly what you picture.

“So the ice was great, and it’s nice to get our first few slides out there.”

Wuthrich has been assisting a veteran crew that includes World Curling’s chief ice technician, Mark Callan of Great Britain and Canada’s Greg Ewasko, one of two deputy chief ice technicians.

Wuthrich, whose main job is to assist with air handling and dehumidification, said the crew had to deal with a crack in the ice a couple of weeks ago.

It was still slightly visible, he said, but he expected it to completely fade over the coming days. A power failure a few nights ago didn’t help with any frazzled nerves.

Given that humidity levels and air pressure are constant concerns, signs have been posted at exits around the venue reminding people to keep doors closed with “Ice Making in Progress.”

“The doors are really bad,” Wuthrich said. “So we can’t get positive pressure in here, which you always want. So if somebody comes in, you want the air to blow out, not come in. So these doors all have gaps, and they don’t close properly.

“So we can’t get positive pressure in here. We’ve tried, it doesn’t work. The doors are open constantly anyway, so it’s very hard.”

After the opening session on Wednesday night, the real test at the venue will come on Thursday morning.

A well-attended draw is expected when host Italy plays its opening game. Stefania Constantini, who is from Cortina, and Amos Mosaner are the defending champions and a strong bet to return to the Olympic podium.

Curling competition continues through Feb. 22.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 4, 2026.

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press