Italian helicopters at Cortina 2021 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships

From 7-21 February 2021, the Italian town Cortina d’Ampezzo near Belluno in northern Italy has hosted the most important international winter sport event held during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cortina 2021 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships.

On 14 February the Aeronautica Militare (ItAF, Italian Air Force) demonstration team ‘Frecce Tricolori’, on the occasion of one of the most iconic races of the Cortina 2021 Alpine Ski World Championships, downhill for men, have spread the longest Tricolor in the world over the skies of Cortina. With their smoke generators, the Aermacchi MB339A aircraft have spread the green, white and red of the Italian flag on the finish line of the downhill before the start of the men's race around 10:00.

Not only the Aeronautica Militare (ItAF, Italian Air Force) was present during this Alpine World Ski Championships, almost all Italian Police forces were present with their helicopters to support the men and women on the ground.

In a stunning setting at the heliport Fiames-Cortina d'Ampezzo the newest types were noted, some with special markings and new liveries.

Noted were Leonardo UH-169A MM81966/GF-503 and Leonardo AW139M MM81964/GF-414 of the Guardia di Finanza (Italian customs), with MM81964 wearing special big ‘1000’ markings in favor of the 1000th delivered AW139.

The Polizia della Stato (Italian Police) was present with their new Leonardo UH-139C MM81979/PS-118 and MM81978/PS-116, while the Carabinieri (Italian Military Police) operated the Leonardo UH-139D MM81968/CC-01.

Photo credits: Daniele Mattiuzzo