BORMIO, Italy, Feb 19 : SkiMo's eagerly-awaited debut at the Winter Olympics got underway at a snowy Bormio on Thursday with the heats of the women's and men's sprint competitions. In a change of pace from the men's Alpine events that concluded on Monday, 36 of the best ski mountaineering athletes gathered at the foot of the famous Stelvio slope. Despite a snowstorm, fans streamed in for the nearly sold-out event. The hardy athletes themselves are used to training in harsh mountain conditions.

Tag-uri: Italia