Jordan Cowan’s On‑Ice Camera Work Goes Viral at Milan‑Cortina 2026 Games
Updated (3 articles)
First On‑Ice Camera Operator Redefines Figure‑Skating Coverage Jordan Cowan became the inaugural camera operator permitted to skate on the competition surface during the Milan‑Cortina Winter Games, gliding backward in a custom white tuxedo to capture post‑program moments that overhead rigs miss. His footage is supplied to Olympic Broadcasting Services and streamed to national rights holders worldwide, providing broadcasters with intimate angles of athletes’ reactions. Both CNN and WBNS note his historic status and the seamless integration of his work into the official feed[1][3].
Custom Rig and Training Enable Unobtrusive Filming Cowan designed a lightweight gimbal rig featuring a stabilized camera, manual focus, cinema‑grade zoom, and wireless transmission, all mounted on a fabric tuxedo that balances elegance with mobility. He maintains flexibility through Pilates and yoga to match skaters’ speed and execute backward glides without disrupting performances. The rig’s stability and his physical preparation allow him to remain “invisible” to athletes, a claim supported by both CNN and WBNS[1][3].
Viral Clips Elevate Cowan to International Spotlight Short videos of Cowan’s on‑ice work quickly spread across social platforms, turning him into an accidental star of the Games and generating millions of views. The exposure has sparked his ambition to collaborate on Hollywood projects with directors such as James Cameron and Steven Spielberg, while his future Olympic assignments remain undecided. CNN emphasizes this viral momentum and his commercial aspirations[1][1].
AP Deploys Robotic Cameras to Complement Human Coverage In parallel, the Associated Press installed robotic and remote camera systems at remote venues, positioning cameras in previously inaccessible spots like the hockey goal to capture unique angles of speed skating, figure skating, curling, and short‑track events. A three‑person robotics team spent weeks testing and calibrating the equipment, expanding visual storytelling beyond traditional setups. AP’s report details the technology’s deployment and its impact on Olympic imagery[2].
Sources
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1.
CNN: Jordan Cowan’s Ice‑Side Filming Turns Him Into a Viral Olympic Star: Highlights Cowan’s historic on‑ice role, white tuxedo, viral social media impact, and future film ambitions.
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2.
AP: AP photographers deploy robots for striking Olympic images: Details AP’s robotic camera installations across venues, remote placements, and expanded visual angles for multiple sports.
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3.
WBNS: Jordan Cowan Pioneers On‑Ice Camera Work at Milan‑Cortina Winter Games: Emphasizes Cowan’s first‑ever on‑ice operation, footage of Ilia Malinin, his company On Ice Perspectives, and upcoming medal ceremony duties.
Timeline
2011 – Jordan Cowan retires from competitive ice dancing, ending a career that later fuels his transition to filming skaters [3].
2018 – He launches the production company On Ice Perspectives, using social media to showcase viral skating moments and build industry connections [3].
2021 – Cowan films the World Exhibition Gala, adding a high‑profile event to his portfolio and solidifying his reputation with Olympic Broadcasting Services [3].
Late Jan 2026 – A three‑person AP robotics team installs and tests remote‑camera systems at distant Olympic venues, preparing the first wide‑scale robotic coverage for the Games [2].
Feb 2026 – Cowan becomes the inaugural on‑ice camera operator in Olympic figure‑skating history, gliding backward in a custom white tuxedo to capture post‑program moments that overhead cameras miss [3].
Feb 2026 – He films Ilia Malinin punching his camera in excitement after Team USA wins gold in the team event and later records the skater’s grimace following a botched free‑skate, delivering the footage to national rights holders [3].
Feb 2026 – Throughout the Games, Cowan films medal ceremonies and the closing gala, staying invisible to athletes while anticipating signature moves to ensure safety [3].
Feb 19 2026 – Cowan’s ice‑side videos go viral, turning him into an accidental Olympic star; he says his approach represents the “gold standard” for unobtrusive coverage [1].
Feb 19 2026 – AP photographers deploy robotic and remote cameras in previously inaccessible spots—such as inside a hockey goal—to capture striking images across speed skating, figure skating, ice hockey, curling and short‑track events [2].
2026 and beyond – Cowan announces ambitions to work on Hollywood projects with directors like James Cameron or Steven Spielberg and to film summer‑sport events, while his future Olympic role remains undecided [1].