Veteran Lindsey Vonn, who won downhill gold back at Vancouver 2010, is making her hotly-anticipated comeback and will still compete on Sunday despite rupturing her ACL at the end of last month.
There she will tussle with Italian Sofia Goggia, 2018 downhill champion, while Mikaela Shiffrin, gold medallist in 2014 and 2018, goes up against three-time Olympic medallist Federica Brignone in the slalom and giant slalom events.
Slovenian star Maze, who grabbed downhill and giant slalom glory at Sochi 2014, can’t wait to see those battles unfold as the action kicks off in Cortina this weekend.
“The Olympics are so special,” she said. “They only come around every four years so you need to come in your best shape possible. You need to keep it calm in the end – it’s all about mental preparation and knowing how to play the game. It’s called the Games – so you need to play the game!
“Mikaela Shiffrin up against Federica Brignone, who is coming back from injury, will be fascinating. And Lindsey with her comeback, plus Sophia Goggia battling for gold in downhill, will be one of the highlights.”
Maze, 42, also scooped two silvers at Vancouver 2010 and claimed four World Championship titles across a decorated career. And Slovenia’s most successful skier of all-time will now be front and centre of the coverage of these Games, working with TNT Sports.
“It’s awesome and I’m so happy to be part of it,” she added. “Sharing my experience with the audience and living this moment with all the athletes and everybody working here.
“Once you’re a champion, you need to inspire the next generation – I’m trying to and I hope I’m doing that. Sharing your experience, your knowledge and just being around – it’s a great thing to have advice for the youngsters growing up and a great privilege.
“Skiing started in Europe in the Alps, so getting back to that tradition after Cortina 1956, is such an important thing. It’s great for everyone involved.”
TNT Sports on discovery+ will be the go-to destination in the U.K to watch everything of Milano Cortina 2026 live all in one place, with over 850 hours of action from every sport, venue, and medal event.