Bulgarian alpine skier Kalin Zlatkov admitted that he made mistakes in both runs of the giant slalom in his debut at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The 25-year-old competitor finished 37th on the “Stelvio“ track in Bormio, where the race was held in difficult conditions - heavy snowfall and thick fog, especially in the upper part of the course, BTA reports.
“In the second run I tried to take more risks, because in the first I rode a little more defensively in key sections. I started more aggressively, but unfortunately I made a few mistakes that cost me time and probably deprived me of one or two places ahead“, commented Zlatkov.
He emphasized that the severe weather conditions were a serious test for all competitors.
„I tried not to think about the weather, as we are used to riding in different conditions. But the wet snow combined with the rain stuck to the glasses and visibility was very poor. It was also difficult to distinguish the ruts on the track. Nevertheless, I think I adapted well and made a decent descent according to my abilities“, he added.
Zlatkov indicated that his main priority at this Olympics remains the slalom on February 16.
„This is the most important start for me. My goal is to take risks and fight for a place in the top 30 after the first run. "In such conditions, anything is possible, and with a strong second run, a good result can be achieved," said the Bulgarian.