Olympics - Milano-Cortina 2026 - Day 9/February 12

 

So much action over the next few days as the events that started this week are wrapping up and the events that will take up the next week are all starting, along with other events just scheduled for this weekend!

Men's and women's curling are both in full swing, as the US Women went 1-1 on the day defeating Korea 8-4 and falling to Sweden 9-4.  The American men lost to Switzerland 8-3.

In men's hockey, the United States defeated Latvia 5-1 to keep pace with the Canadians, who defeated Czechia 5-0.  Germany beat Denmark 3-1 and Switzerland blanked France 5-0.  On the women's side, Canada beat Finland 5-0.

Staying on the rink, the women's 5000 meters speed skating final was held, with Italy's Francesca Lollobrigida winning her second gold medal of these games, closely followed by Merel Conijn of the Netherlands as these two skaters finished .1 seconds apart!!!  Ragne Wiklund of Norway won the bronze medal.  It is safe to say that Lollobrigida will forever be a national heroine!

Two finals were held in the short track speed skating, with the Netherlands taking home two golds.  In the women's 500 meters, Xandra Velzeboer took home the gold for the speed skating fanatical country, with Italy's Arianna Fontana taking home her second medal of the games (silver).  They were followed on the podium by Courtney Sarault of Canada.

The men's 1000 meters was next and the Dutch were again victorious as Jens van't Wout won gold.  Sun Long of China takes silver and Rim Jongun earned bronze.

On the sliding track, Germany took home the gold in the Team Relay, which consists of the women's singles, men's doubles, men's singles, and women's doubles in a relay format.  Austria finished second and Italy came home in third, to earn another medal for the home team!

The main action for the day took place on skis, with the women's Cross-Country 10K interval start freestyle and the women's Super Giant Slalom.  

In the former, Sweden once again dominated (as they expect to do in all of the women's cross-country events) taking home gold with Freda Karlsson and silver by Ebba Andersson.  But, they didn't dominate the podium as the greatest cross-country skier in US history - Jessie Diggins - managed to ski across in third place to win bronze!

In a much faster race - the Women's Super Giant Slalom - Italy was once again victorious, with Federica Brignone taking home gold for the hosts!!!  At age 35, Brignone is the oldest medalist in Olympic Alpine Skiing history.  Ramone Miradoli of France won silver and Austria's Cornelia Huetter earned bronze.

Athlete(s) of the Day - Federica Brignone, Italy, Alpine Skiing/Francesca Lollobrigida, Italy, Speed Skating

Another gold for the host country in the Women's Super Giant Slalom, and Brignone becomes the oldest Alpine Skier to medal ever. Lollobrigida wins her second gold medal of these games for Italy at age 35 as well!

U.S. Athlete of the Day - Jessie Diggins, Cross-Country Skiing

Another race another medal for the most decorated cross-country skier in U.S. history!

Upset of the Day - Germany 3-1 victory over Denmark in Men's Hockey

Germany defeating Denmark isn't the upset, it is the fact that this score was 3-1, which shows that Germany may not be a potential semi-finalist or medalist that they always hope to be.

 

Team of the Day - Canada, Men's Hockey

Just dominating everybody, including today's 5-0 over a good Czechian squad.

U.S. Team of the Day - Women's Curling

Although they finished the day 1-1, their 8-4 victory over Korea was as good a win as we have seen from the American women to date.

Olympic Term of the Day:  Goofy-footed - In snowboarding, it is a stance in which the athlete operates with their strongest leg in the front of the snowboard, rather than in the back.  Also applies to surfing, skateboarding and other similar.

Olympic Events Watched:  Alpine Skiing, Hockey, Skeleton, Snowboarding

USA Closing Ceremony Flag-Bearer Possibilities (listed alphabetically):  Evan Bates, Madison Chock, Jessie Diggins, Korey Dobkin, Ashley Farquharson, Breezy Johnson, Hilary Knight, Ilia Malinin, Ben Ogden, Jordan Stolz, Cory Thiesse