Mark Callan, the head ice technician for curling at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, has captured global attention with his unique pebbling technique. Social media users dubbed the Glaswegian the 'Michael Jackson of curling' after videos showed his moonwalk-like shuffle while misting the ice. His meticulous work ensures optimal conditions for athletes on the four ice sheets in Cortina.
The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics have spotlighted the behind-the-scenes efforts of ice technicians, particularly Mark Callan, who oversees curling ice preparation in Cortina. Social media buzz arose from official Olympic accounts sharing footage of Callan's distinctive shuffle as he spritzes de-ionized water from the Dolomites to create the pebbled surface essential for curling. This 'pebbling' process differentiates curling ice from smoother skating rinks by forming small bumps that allow 42-pound granite stones to glide with an air cushion.
Callan explained his method during round-robin play: “The viral thing has been a bit of a surprise. Everybody has a different style of pebbling, bit like driving a car. I find that doing the moonwalk — or the shuffle, if you like — it keeps me stable.” The technique stems from decades of expertise in environmental, mechanical, and athletic aspects of ice making.
Building the ice involves layering 20,000 liters of purified Italian mountain water onto four concrete slabs, frozen instantly by pipes circulating 7,000 liters of below-freezing glycol per minute. Different nozzles create varied pebble sizes, with smaller ones at the base and larger on top to withstand broom sweeps. During matches, Callan and his team monitor a dozen thermometers, stadium temperature, humidity, and dew point to prevent frost—a 'killer' for stones—from forming.
Athletes sometimes blame technicians for poor performance, as seen when Canada's mixed doubles team, including Brett Gallant, failed to reach semifinals and cited straighter ice conditions. Callan noted: “Ice techs are an easy target. We always say that after every single game with mixed doubles, you have two new friends and two new enemies. People who win are your friends. People who lose are your enemies.”
Canadian ice tech Greg Ewasko, for whom the Olympics is a 'lifelong dream,' found the criticism upsetting: “They are used to playing on my ice. Unfortunately for them, the ice was a little bit straighter than what they’re used to. If we could have all winners, then there’d probably be no complainers.” The team works 17 hours daily over 18 days, the longest Olympic winter sport, fueled by adrenaline. Callan added: “In the good old days of curling, water quality was so poor... In the last 15-20 years, technology has really come into the sport.”
Curling ice requires clear, level surfaces made with distilled water to visibility the 'houses,' unlike opaque skating ice. Pebbling and scrubbing— which heats the surface for controlled curls— are key to the sport's dynamics.
