In order of speed...

Downhill - The longest course with the highest speeds. Athletes get one run down the mountain, although they are allowed practice runs before the race.

Super-G - The 'super giant slalom' is raced on a shorter course than downhill, with less vertical drop, but there are more turns. Each skier gets one run, but - unlike downhill - they are not allowed to practice on the course.

Giant Slalom - Skiers compete over two different courses on the same slope, with the two times added together. This is the fastest technical event, with more gates and turns than downhill and Super-G.

Slalom - Like giant slalom - two courses, two times added together. This is the most technical event of alpine skiing. It is the shortest race, with the gates much closer together and sharper turns.

Image source, Getty Images

There's a big chance we could see a Swiss-only podium in the men's downhill.

Switzerland completed a one-two-three at the 2025 World Cup, with Marco Odermatt, Franjo von Allmen and Alexis Monney reaching the podium in that order.

However, no nation has completed a clean sweep of medals in this event at a Winter Games.

Image source, Getty Images

The very first gold medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics is coming up.

It will be decided in the men's downhill - the blue-ribbon event of alpine skiing which is coming up right now on BBC Two.

Jackie Lockhart
Four-time Olympic curler on BBC Two

Jen Dodds looks calm and collected. This Team GB pair are showing their dominance and they need to continue with that attitude.

This is brilliant from Great Britain.

There are two ends to go but GB lead Canada 7-3.

Bruce Mouat and Jen Dodds are so relaxed and it is showing in their performance.

Tim Warwood
Freestyle skiing commentator on BBC Two

The judges are looking for variety and different rotations of spin across the six features. They have been very stingy with scores today.

It will be interesting to see how Eileen Gu deals with this pressure of not a great first run, she sits in 20th place.

So scores on the doors after qualifying run one...

Great Britain's Kirsty Muir scored 63.18 and she sits in second place.

Switzerland's Mathilde Gremaud is top of the leaderboard, with a score of 76.68.

The big news is that freestyle skiing superstar Eileen Gu finds herself fourth from bottom with a below-par 1.26 after falling off the very first rail.

But it's still all to play for. Only a rider's best run counts to their final score and the second qualifying run is coming up.

The best 12 go through to Monday's final.

Image source, Getty Images

Get well soon Nicci, at least you've got us for company!

Men's downhill final starts in around 10 minutes so grab a brew and get comfy ...

Anna Thompson
BBC Sport in Livigno

I've covered seven Winter Olympics for BBC Sport, starting at Salt Lake City in 2002.

But I have to say, this is the nearest I've stayed to a venue!

I can watch the ski slopestyle qualification from the comfort of my bedroom.

The competitors may be the size of ants but it's a novel way to watch the live action unfold.

Image source, BBC Sport

John, we're here to help!

The hammer refers to the advantage gained by delivering the last stone in an end and it enables the team to create the best strategy with the final stone to gain more points.

Before each match, two players from each team deliver two stones to the target and whoever has the shortest average distance to the centre of the target win the hammer in the first end. It is then alternated until the end of the match.

The one caveat to that is that, if you don't score when you've got the hammer, you hold on to it for the next end.

Image source, PA Media

Things are looking very good for Great Britain in this round robin match against Canada.

Bruce Mouat and Jen Dodds are capitalising on Canada's mistakes and have a 7-2 lead going into the sixth end.

Canada are up against it.

Snoop Dogg might have taken most of the attention in the Cortina Curling Stadium early on Friday, but Team GB's duo delivered a big-ticket performance of their own to maintain their 100% record in the Winter Olympics mixed doubles.

The rap legend, who is Team USA's hype man and "honorary coach," even felt the urge to claim a selfie with Jen Dodds and Bruce Mouat after their fourth win of the competition.

"He's just asked for a photo with us, so I'm feeling pretty good about myself," Mouat told BBC Sport, before Dodds disclosed that Mr Dogg "said he'd heard about Bruce".

Richard, you need to get a selfie!

Image source, Getty Images

Richard Winton
BBC Sport Scotland in Cortina

In the past two days, I've managed to bump into Snoop Dogg swaggering around Cortina.

First up at the sliding track, then here at the curling yesterday. Definitely not something I had on my bingo card.

Problem is I've set the bar high for the rest of the Games. What next? A night out with the big man?

Image source, Getty Images

Katie Falkingham
BBC Sport in Livigno

A solid start from Kirsty Muir.

After getting her score, she spends a bit of time chatting with the GB team watching on, then goes over to wave to her family in the crowd.

Her boyfriend - Matt from Traitors series one! - and family rush over to give her hugs, before she heads back up to the top of the course for her second run.

Image source, BBC Sport

We're at the halfway mark of this round robin match between Team GB and Canada and it is British pair Bruce Mouat and Jen Dodds that are leading 5-2.

They have had 86% accuracy in the opening four ends and look very comfortable.

Image source, BBC Sport

Tim Warwood
Freestyle skiing commentator on BBC Two

It is so good for Kirsty Muir to move into second place with a run she knows she can improve. That will give her so much confidence.

She just needs to clean up her composition score and transitions.

With the Games officially under way, we want to hear from you!

Let us know how and where you're spending Saturday morning watching the opening day, and tell us what sports you're most looking forward to over the next fortnight.

You can get in touch by clicking the 'Get Involved' tab at the top of this page!

Tim Warwood
Freestyle skiing commentator on BBC Two

Kirsty Muir is one of the favourites. She is so strong on the rails and very technical. She came off a little early on some her jumps and was not as clean as she would have liked, but she has a lot of speed.

A really solid run. We know that the judges are looking for execution over difficulty.