Photo: Francis Ceccarelli/Facebook
By James Ajero
Filipino-Italian Francis Ceccarelli is set to make his Olympic debut as part of the two-athlete Philippine continent in alpine skiing in the Milano-Cortina Winter Games.
As he braces for an icy race on the famous skiing slopes of Italy, let's take a look at the key times, dates, and venues for the men's giant slalom and slalom events where Ceccarelli aims to make his mark.
Men's giant slalom
Ceccarelli is set to launch his campaign in the men’s giant slalom on Saturday, February 14, taking on one of the most demanding stages in alpine skiing. The first run is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. (PH time), with the decisive second run under the lights at 8:30 p.m. at the famed Stelvio Ski Centre in Bormio, Italy.
The course has twice hosted the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in 1985 and 2005. It also hosted the World Cup Finals in 1995 and 2008, cementing its reputation as one of the sport’s most iconic and unforgiving venues.
In giant slalom, precision and consistency are everything. The final standings will be determined by the combined times from both runs, with the fastest total crowning the winner.
Men's slalom
The action continues on Monday, February 16, as the men’s slalom takes center stage at the Stelvio Ski Centre in Bormio. Known for its tighter turns and quicker rhythm, slalom features a shorter course than giant slalom but demands razor-sharp reflexes and flawless technique.
The first run is set for 5:00 p.m., with the decisive second run scheduled for 8:30 p.m. under the lights at the same venue.
The podium will be decided by the combined times of both runs. In a discipline where hundredths of a second can separate contenders, consistency across both heats will be the key to victory on the legendary Stelvio slope.