The use of First-Person View (FPV) chase drones at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics has indeed been hailed as a “masterclass in miniaturization.” These custom-built machines are revolutionizing how sliding sports like Luge, Skeleton, and Bobsleigh are broadcasted, providing a “third-person” video game perspective that was previously impossible.
High-Speed Engineering
To keep up with Luge athletes who can exceed speeds of 150 km/h, these drones are designed for extreme aerodynamic efficiency. They often utilize a “Cinewhoop” design with ducted, inverted blades. This structure allows them to navigate the tight, icy confines of the Cortina sliding track while maintaining a safe distance—sometimes as close as one meter—without interfering with the competitor’s run.
The “Sub-250” Strategy
A key part of this miniaturization is the Sub-250g weight class. By keeping the drones under 250 grams (roughly 9 ounces), operators can adhere to stricter safety regulations while maintaining the agility needed for high-speed descents. Despite their tiny size, they carry:
- Broadcast-quality cameras for live 4K transmission.
- Low-latency transmitters with under 100ms delay, allowing for real-time adjustments from the production truck.
- Cold-resistant batteries designed for rapid swaps between heats, lasting roughly 3 to 6 minutes in sub-zero temperatures.
Expert Piloting
The Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) employs elite teams for each drone, consisting of a pilot (wearing VR goggles), a director, and a technician. Interestingly, many of these pilots are former athletes themselves—such as the ski jumping pilot who uses his personal knowledge of flight paths to capture the most immersive angles.+1
The result is a broadcast that doesn’t just show the race but makes the viewer feel the G-forces and the sheer speed of the ice track.