Milano Santagiulia Arena: Hockey-Ready Despite Leaks and Dust for Milan-Cortina Games
The Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, a key venue for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Games, might not be fully completed, but it has demonstrated its readiness for hockey action. As the arena prepares to host Olympic events, it faces notable challenges, including leaks and dust, yet players and fans have found it functional and exciting for the sport.
Arena Flaws and Functional Readiness
During the preliminary rounds, a leak emerged in the ceiling of the media centre, highlighting ongoing construction issues. The building still lacks polish in some areas, with stands not fully completed, reducing the planned capacity from 14,000 to about 12,000 seats. Despite these setbacks, the arena has proven itself hockey-ready, with the ice surface maintained to a high standard after initial problems.
In a test event last month, a hole opened in the ice, requiring quick fixes by technicians. Dust and dirt have been persistent concerns, as they can compromise ice quality. However, by the time of the official opener between Italy and France in women's hockey, the ice was pristine and white, meeting players' expectations.
Player and Fan Reactions
The atmosphere during games has been electric, with fans nearly filling the stands and roaring for the home team. Italian players celebrated a 4-1 victory in the curtain-raiser, adding to the excitement. French forward Elina Zilliox described the experience as "crazy" and "amazing" for women's hockey, noting the unusual crowd size.
Laura Fortino, a veteran defender from Hamilton, Ontario, who now plays for Italy, expressed emotional joy, saying the experience "hits such to the heart" and brought tears to her eyes. She emphasized that the players deserve such moments after their hard work.
Ice Quality and Arena Specifications
Post-game, most players reported that the ice was totally fine, aligning with ice-master Don Moffatt's goal of providing ice similar to that at the start of training camp. The rink dimensions are slightly unusual: it is about three feet shorter than an NHL rink and just under a foot wider, though the length matches standard international sheets.
Italian goal-scorer Gabriella de Serres offered a mixed review, noting that the arena felt warm and sweaty, especially during a mid-day game on a sunny day. She said, "Quality of the ice-wise, I think it was fine," but highlighted comfort issues due to temperature.
Looking Ahead to the Games
As the Milan-Cortina Games approach, the Milano Santagiulia Arena stands as a symbol of resilience. While it leaks and is dusty, its core functionality for hockey is intact. The positive feedback from players and fans suggests that, despite the flaws, the arena will provide a memorable Olympic experience. Ongoing efforts to address minor issues will be crucial to ensure smooth operations during the high-stakes competitions.
