MILAN, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Despite receiving mixed feedback from athletes during the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, French ice master Remy Boehler has expressed confidence in the quality of the ice rink at Milano Ice Skating Arena.

"The ice conditions are good at the moment, and everything has been given the green light. My crew is doing a great job maintaining high-quality ice every time," Boehler told Xinhua.

With Milan-Cortina's figure skating and short track speed skating competitions now underway, some athletes have begun to question the rink's ice conditions.

"There were so many falls. It's probably the worst ice of the year we've had," commented Canadian short track speed skater Steven Dubois. His American counterpart Brandon Kim also said that the ice was "softer than what we're used to."

In response to the comments, Boehler said, "We receive a lot of feedback. Some athletes say it's too cold, some say it's too warm, and others say it's perfect. It's difficult because everyone feels differently. But the ice conditions are the same for everyone."

The Frenchman added that he monitors air quality, water quality, ice temperature and ice thickness in real time to ensure the ice is of the required standard.

The technical demands of figure skating and short track differ sharply. For figure skating, the ice temperature is maintained at around minus 3.5 degrees Celsius, creating a softer surface with a thicker layer that helps skaters generate force and execute jumps more effectively. Short track requires a colder surface - between minus six and minus seven degrees Celsius - so that the blades can instantly "bite" into the ice with every push.

"When preparing short track ice, I use less water so it freezes quickly and creates a fast surface," Boehler explained, adding that for figure skating he applies more water before a crew repairs the small holes punched into the surface when skaters land their jumps.

The constant switching keeps the team on a tight schedule.

"Sometimes we make the ice transition once per day, sometimes twice. In total, I think we have around 50 transitions during the Games, which is a lot," Boehler said. During each changeover, he explained, roughly half of the team works simultaneously to reset the venue for the next competition.

The pressure peaks on February 10 and 16, when both disciplines share the same day.

"Padding transitions take about 30 minutes. Ice temperature transitions, for example from minus 3.5 degrees Celsius to minus seven degrees Celsius, take about three hours," he said.

Boehler is backed by what he calls a "highly international" team - three deputy ice masters from France and the United States, nine French and three Italian ice resurfacer drivers, and a Canadian mechanic.

"It's a very international crew. It's really nice because we exchange a lot of knowledge about ice, and everyone works in the same way toward the same goal - producing the best possible ice," the team leader said.

Their work is reflected in the athletes' performance. On February 10, the Netherlands set a new Olympic record in the short track mixed team relay. Two days later, Dutchwoman Xandra Velzeboer broke the women's 500m short track world record.

"That shows the ice was very fast. Of course, in short track, falls happen - it's part of the sport. I respect the athletes' opinions, but I'm confident that my crew delivers the best possible ice every day," said Boehler.

Milan-Cortina 2026 marks Boehler's fifth Olympic appearance and his third as an ice master. "Every event is equally important to me. Whether I prepare ice for a five-year-old beginner or for Olympic athletes, I do the same job with the same standards," he said.  ■