So says HPSNZ Performance Nutritionist for New Zealand’s Winter Olympic and Paralympic athletes, Carolyn (Caz) Cruden, who has recently returned from an exploratory visit checking out Milano Cortina 2026 facilities in Livigno, the venue for the park ‘n pipe, and Cortina, base for alpine events for the likes of Alice Robinson and our top Paralympians, Adam Hall and Corey Peters.
“It was an opportunity to check out what food would be available at the accommodation bases in Livigno and Cortina, what local supermarkets and convenience stores stock, the distances between accommodation and competition venues, where there will be challenges and how we can mitigate those and so on,” says Caz.
There will be some familiar products for Kiwi athletes when they are settled into their Italian bases. “WeetBix, Marmite, Up and Go and New Zealand snack foods are just some of the Kiwi foods we are sending over there to help them feel like they have a bit of home.”
Along with the practical issues, winter athletes have a range of physiological factors to contend with, some of which result from what Caz describes as their ‘perpetual winter’.
“Most of our athletes spend pretty much the whole year in winter conditions, at home and then when they travel to the northern hemisphere to train and compete,” says Caz.
While this has the potential for a range of physiological impacts over and above illness and injury, Caz highlights what she sees as the ‘big five’.
“It may surprise many people that hydration is a big issue for winter athletes. Sweat rates in winter sports are not vastly different to most of their summer counterparts due to the extremely cold environment and means a focus on high fluid intakes to ensure hydration is key.
“This in itself results in some practical considerations. Water bottles need to be insulated so they don’t freeze and you can’t do tricks with a camelbak on your back.
“Hydration is critical for performance including split second decision making. The lack of toilets and multiple layers of clothing can also prove a challenge.”
Another important factor is the impact of altitude on physiology.
Athletes burn more fuel at altitude and the higher they go, the more energy they use. In addition, there is an initial reduction in the capacity for oxygen to be carried around the body which means iron levels need to be optimal when arriving at altitude.
The lack of sun exposure and living at more extreme latitudes means athletes’ Vitamin D levels can be affected. Vitamin D is essential for bone, muscle and cardiovascular health and key to supporting the immune system.
“Because of the young age of many of our athletes, starting in the low teens, we need to ensure they have adequate daily energy intake and good calcium intake. The teen athletes can have huge training loads, are still attending school, are going through a massive growth phase and their bones are still forming. So first and foremost we want to ensure they grow to their full potential.”
In addition, Caz says when athletes first go to altitude, many experience issues such as suppressed appetite, disrupted sleeping patterns, thirst and nose bleeds.
Caz has a very small window and tight time frame to work with the Milano Cortina bound athletes. “I will review each athlete’s training and competition nutrition plans between now and when they head overseas around November and familiarise them with what the Olympic and Paralympic environment will be like from a fuel perspective.”
