The 2026 Winter Olympics are introducing ski mountaineering, which is the only new sport added since the previous Games in Beijing 2022. Italian athletes competing in this discipline include De Silvestro, Murada, and Boscacci. On this final Thursday of competition at Milan-Cortina, several Italian teams are also in action including the curling team, Costa and Kostner in the Nordic combined, Di Stefano in speed skating, and Gutmann in figure skating.

The day's program features an important curling match for the Italians, starting at 9:05 AM. This semifinal match against Switzerland is pivotal as a victory would secure Italy's place in the evening's semifinals set for 7:05 PM. The new sport of ski mountaineering is divided into three disciplines: sprint, technique, and mixed relay, presenting a unique challenge and exciting format for Olympic audiences.

Ski mountaineering's sprint discipline entails a challenging three-minute course with steep climbs and descents, while the technique aspect utilizes synthetic skins on skis to enable greater grip during ascents. As Italy's athletes compete in these numerous events, there is a strong sense of national pride and anticipation surrounding their performances at these prestigious games.