The US Men's team was victorious in Curling once again, defeating Germany 8-6, and the US Women's team continued their roll by beating Japan 7-4! IN another interesting matchup, the Great Britain women defeating the powerful Canadian team 7-6.
In the ski jump, the men's large hill competition was conducted, with Doman Prevc from Slovenia taking the gold over Ren Nikaido of Japan and Kacpar Tomasiak of Poland with a 464-foot last jump to win gold! This is the second gold for Prevc, whereas Nikaido has a bronze to go with this silver - both Prevc and Nikaido previously winning in the mixed team event. The bronze for Tomasiak was his third medal in these Olympics previously having won silver in the men's team event and bronze in the normal hill.
On the skeleton track, Janine Flock won gold for Austria, with the German duo of Susanne Kreher and Jacqueline Pfeifer earning silver and bronze.
In Freestyle skiing, the Women's Dual Moguls was the opportunity for another 1-2 finish for Americans Elizabeth Lemley and Jaelin Kauf, who both topped the podium in the moguls earlier in these Olympics. And although both finished on the podium in the Duals, Jakara Anthony from Australia took the gold, relegating Kauf to silver and Lemley to bronze.
On the Cross-Country Skiing course, Norway upset the heavy - and I mean HEAVY - favorite Swedes in the 4 x 7.5 KM Relay. The Swedes - who had won 7 of the 9 medals already awarded in women's cross-country - took a lead on the first leg by Linn Svahn and was held by Ebba Andersson on her second leg, until her skis got caught in softer snow and she fell, she got up in about 4th place but still in a position to challenge for the lead by the end of her leg. Until her ski broke from its binding and went flying out from under her as she fell head-first over the trail. She had to ski on one ski to the other ski, pick it up, and try to make her way to the staff member who fell himself frantically trying to bring the new ski to Andersson. By the time she put the new ski back on, she was in 9th place and well off the lead. Sweden showed their prowess on the trail by catching every other squad, except the Norwegians. Scandinavian neighbors Finland took the bronze.
On the hockey rink, the US Men's completed their undefeated round-robin section by beating Denmark 6-3 after getting off to an incredibly slow start. Finland did no such thing and crushed Italy 11-0. Sweden beat Slovakia 5-3 and Latvia bested Germany 4-3. Next is the round of 16, with the Americans having a bye into the quarterfinals.
On the Women's side, Canada defeated Germany 5-1 and Switzerland outlasted Finland 1-0 in the quarterfinals, with each advancing to a semi-final matchup against each other.
A big surprise in the women's biathlon as Maren Kirkreeide of Norward beat the French duo of Oceane Michelon and Lou Jeanmonnot secured silver and bronze. Missing from this podium was Julia Simon, who has won 2 golds already in these games. Simon finished 34th after incurring two penalties in her last shooting session.
On the slopes, Brazilian, yes you read that correctly, Brazilian, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen won gold in the Men's Giant Slalom, beating favorite Marco Odermatt - who earned silver - and Odermatt's Swiss compatriot Loic Meillard gaining bronze.
In Short Track Speedskating, Dutch skater Jens van'T Wout won his second gold of Milano in the 1500 meters. This gold will sit alongside his 1000-meter victory medal, as he aims for more. Daeheon Hwang of Korea won silver, with Roberts Kruzbergs of Latvia finishing third for bronze.
But the story of the day was at the Speed Skating Track, where American Jordan Stolz won the 500 meter Speed Skating race in an Olympic record time, besting Jenning de Boo from the Netherlands (silver) and Laurent Debreuil (bronze). Stolz has plans to race two more events to try to go for four medals, and dare we say gold?!
