On Tuesday 27 January, the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympc Torch Relay experienced its 51st stage, a breathtaking journey that combined nature, sport and culture in the heart of the Dolomites.The Flame crossed areas rich in natural beauty, bringing the spirit of the Games to the autonomous province of Bolzano, from the alpine lakes to the heart of the South Tyrolean capital.
The torchbearers of the day
Among the torchbearers of the day were Kristian Ghedina, the Italian alpine skiing legend, Carolina Kostner, Olympic medallist in Figure skating and ambassador of Milano Cortina 2026, and the diving champion Tania Cagnotto.
The relay also saw the participation of biathlete Nathalie Santer, accompanied by her two sisters, Saskia and Stephanie, who travelled the Olympic ring of the Antholz-Anterselva Biahtlon Arena, and the presence of mountaineer Reinhold Messner, who brought the Flame to the peaks of Plan De Corones.
The awakening among the peaks and alpine villages
The journey began in the morning in Dobbiaco, where the first of the 33 individual torchbearers and the 20 members of the group relays kicked off the day. The route, with a detour to Veneto, touched iconic places such as Lake Misurina, which offered a mirror of crystalline water to reflect the Olympic fire at an altitude of 1,754 metres. The relay paid tribute to the area at the Three Peaks of Lavaredo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering symbolic images of the contrast between the ice and the fire of the Flame.
Passing through Rasun di Sotto in the late morning, the Flame then stopped in Antholz-Anterselva, passing through the Antholz-Anterselva Biathlon Arena, a world temple of biathlon and future venue of the 2026 Olympic competitions.
Culture and sport at high altitude
The relay then reached Brunico, at the foot of Plan de Corones. Here, the passage of the torchbearers celebrated not only the skiing tradition, but also the cultural excellence of the area, represented by the Messner Mountain Museum Corones, symbols of the mountain narrative at an altitude of over 2,200 metres. In the afternoon, the Flame crossed the historic city of Bressanone, welcomed with enthusiasm along the streets of the centre.
The great City Celebration in Bolzano
The highlight of the day came in the evening when the Flame made its triumphal entry into Bolzano. An exciting relay of 37 torchbearers crossed the city to reach the crowded Piazza Walther.
On the stage of the City Celebration, the warmth of the local community accompanied the lighting of the Olympic cauldron, a ritual that transformed the square into a stage of celebration and participation. A way to share the dream of the Games with the citizens and tourists present.