Milan Cortina Olympics: Thrills, Spills, and the Pursuit of Gold
The 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics are heating up as we approach the penultimate day of competition. Team USA has already made a splash, kicking things off with a record-breaking gold medal in mixed aerials, thanks to the impressive performance of Kaila Kuhn, Connor Curran, and Chris Lillis. This victory brings the American medal count to 11 golds – their highest total in a single Winter Games!
Stolz’s Pursuit of History in Mass Start Speed Skating
All eyes are on American speed skating sensation Jordan Stolz as he prepares for the mass start speed skating event. After dominating the 500 meters and 1,000 meters, Stolz aimed for a historic sprint treble, but settled for silver in the 1,500 meters. He views the mass start as a potential “bonus,” adding to the anticipation surrounding this chaotic and exciting race.
Introduced to the Olympics in 2018, the mass start speed skating is unique in that all skaters begin simultaneously. The first three to cross the finish line after 16 laps claim gold, silver, and bronze. It’s a test of endurance, strategy, and sheer speed.
Curling Drama and Canada Challenge
The U.S. women’s curling team faced a tough challenge against Switzerland in the semifinals, falling short after a strong performance from the Swiss team. Now, they’ll battle Canada for the bronze medal, hoping to secure their first-ever Olympic medal in women’s curling. The Americans previously notched their first-ever Olympic win over a Canadian team in round-robin play, adding extra spice to this matchup.
Eileen Gu’s Final Olympic Run
Eileen Gu, the American-born athlete representing China, will compete in the women’s freestyle skiing halfpipe final, her last event of the Games. She’ll face tough competition, including Team USA’s Svea Irving and Kate Gray. Irving, the granddaughter of renowned author John Irving, has a strong track record, having placed fifth at the 2025 World Championships.
Team USA’s Curling Bronze Medal Match
The U.S. women’s curling team is currently locked in a back-and-forth battle with Canada for the bronze medal. After a challenging sixth end, the Americans are fighting to regain the lead. The match is proving to be a nail-biter, with both teams showcasing impressive skill and strategy.
Klaebo’s Historic Performance
Norwegian cross-country skier Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo continues to dominate, winning his sixth gold medal of the Games and setting a new record for the most golds won by an athlete at a single Winter Olympics. He now boasts 11 career gold medals, trailing only Michael Phelps in overall Olympic gold medal count.
Aerials Gold for Team USA
Chris Lillis, alongside Connor Curran and Kaila Kuhn, secured a second consecutive gold medal for Team USA in mixed aerials, contributing to their record-breaking medal haul. Lillis’s stunning final run sealed the victory, adding another chapter to the American team’s Olympic success.
More Olympic Highlights
- Corinne Stoddard won bronze in short track speed skating, marking the first American medal in the event since 2010.
- Alex Ferreira claimed gold in the men’s halfpipe, completing his Olympic medal set.
- The U.S. men’s hockey team advanced to the gold-medal game, where they will face Canada in a rematch of the 2010 final.
Stay tuned for more updates from the Milan Cortina Olympics as the competition draws to a close!
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