Day Ten – Team Ireland at Milano Cortina ‘26
A gritty performance from Cormac Comerford in the Men’s Slalom at the Olympic Winter Games in Bormio saw the Dubliner finish 31st overall with a combined time of 2:10.24, following a dramatic recovery on the infamous Stelvio course.
In a race marked by extremely challenging conditions, snowfall and a remarkable 51 non-finishers, Comerford’s quick thinking after missing a gate in the first run allowed him to continue and qualify for the second run, ultimately finishing just outside the top thirty.
The competition was won by Switzerland’s Loïc Meillard, with Austria’s Fabio Gstrein taking silver and Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen completing the podium.
Comerford’s opening run of 1:07.87 placed him 35th in a field where many of the world’s top slalom skiers struggled to make it down. His second run of 1:02.37 was the 28th fastest time of the day, moving him up to 31st overall, 16.63 seconds behind the winner.
Reflecting on the race, Comerford described mixed emotions after narrowly missing his pre-Games goal of a top-30 slalom finish, having successfully competed in all four Olympic alpine disciplines.
“Bittersweet today. I’ve got a huge mix of emotions right now. Super proud, disappointed, very frustrated with the result today. I know I had it in me for even a top 25 looking at the splits from the first run – it was a really good performance, just the mistake in the first run was too costly.”
He added,
“I’m really frustrated with the result now but there are a huge amount of positives to take away from this week, 10 days. It’s massive to compete in four disciplines, I’m super proud of that achievement. To top it off with a top 30 would have been the cherry on the cake. But, this is slalom. It’s brutal. It’s the most competitive discipline.”
On the moment that defined his race, recovering after missing a gate while more than half the field failed to finish, Comerford credited experience and instinct.
“Yeah, it was lucky – it was just a bit of quick thinking to go around the other side of the gate. It’s not my first rodeo doing that unfortunately. Back at the world championships in 2023 I did something similar and I still managed to qualify for the second run and get a result.
“Looking at the splits, the other sections were super fast, it’s just a shame about that.”
After more than a week of competition across all four alpine disciplines, Comerford said the physical toll had been manageable, but the mental demands were significant.
“Physically I feel all right. I knew it was going to be tough doing all four events… I’m really happy, surprised, how the body’s held up. I felt pretty good today. I think the biggest challenge was mental fatigue.
“It’s really mentally challenging. But, yeah, I’m proud of the approach.”
Looking ahead to the close of his Olympic experience, Comerford paid tribute to the support he has received throughout the Games.
“We have to celebrate. I’ve got my friends and family here. For some of them it’s the first time they’ve seen me race ever.
“From New York to Sydney, there’s people all over the world tuning in and supporting and sending messages. It’s been unbelievable and I’m so grateful… regardless of results or anything else. So, go raibh míle maith agaibh.”
Next in action is Anabelle Zurbay in the Women’s Slalom, competing on the 18th February in Cortina.
Please contact heather@olympicsport.ie for interview requests and for moving images of training, which will be available over the coming weeks.
RESULTS – MONDAY 16 FEBRUARY:
Alpine Skiing, Men’s Slalom, Cormac Comerford 31st with a time of 2:10.24 (+16.63), run 1 – 1:07.87, run 2 – 1:02.37.
SCHEDULE DAY 12 – WEDNESDAY 18 FEBRUARY (All times are Irish times – Italy is one hour ahead)
09:00 and 12:30 Alpine Skiing, Women’s Slalom Runs 1 & 2, Anabelle Zurbay