Curling is still in its round robin phase, and the US Women, in a huge upset, defeated the favored Canadians 9-8, by stealing a point in each of the last two ends!!! This NEVER happens at this level. Unfortunately, the good vibes didn't carry over to the men's squad, as they were defeated 6-3 by Canada.
Great Britain secured its first gold of these games in the men's skeleton, as sledder Matt Weston took home the gold after 4 slides down the track. Germany joined Great Britain on the medal stand as Axel Jungk and Christopher Grotheer won silver and bronze respectively. Grotheer who also won a bronze in the mixed team event, immediately announced his retirement from the sport as the 33-year old stated his body just couldn't keep up with the demands of sledding anymore. Way to go out - with 2 Olympic medals!
Men's hockey continued with Finland defeating fellow Scandinavian rival Sweden 4-1, Czechia beating France 6-3, and Canada dominating Switzerland 5-1. Canada remains on track for the number 1 seed in the knockout round.
Much more consequential games on the women's side, as the quarterfinals concluded with Sweden beating Czechia 2-0, and the United States overwhelming Italy 6-0. Stars for the United States include Kendall Coyne who scored 2 goals, Hannah Bilka how finished with a +2 and scored a goal on her game high 7 shots, and Laila Edwards who led the team with a +3. On to the semifinals for Team USA!
In Speedskating, Metodej Jilek of Czechia won gold in the men's 10,000 meters. Joining him on the podium were Vladimir Semiranny of Poland and Jurrit Bergsma from the Netherlands, who earned silver and bronze respectively.
Australia continued a strong performance in the X-Games sports with Josie Baff winning Snowboard Cross, defeating Eva Adamczykova of Czechia and home favorite Michaela Moiioli.
On the skis, two giants of their respective sports took home gold (again!). France's Quentin Fillot Maillet won the 10KM sprint biathlon for his second gold of these games, and 4th overall. He was followed by the Norwegian pair of Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen and Stula Holm Laegreid. And in the 10Km interval Cross-Country Skiing race for the men, Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo won his third gold of these games - and a record 8th overall. He was joined on the podium by Frenchman Martin Deslages (silver) and his Norwegian compatriot Einer Hedegaut (bronze).
But, in the event of the day, the stars came out to see the final of the Men's Free Skate performance in figure skating. The giants performing last - Japan's Shun Sato and Yuma Kagiyama and Ilia Malinin of the United States were supposed to be the coup de grace to an amazing competition among the men, with Malinin batting cleanup due to his lead after the short program. But, virtually unheralded Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan skated an amazing performance and stood in first place as Sato went, and then as Kagiyama skated, and then, once Malinin fell a couple of times to ultimately finish 8th, Shaidorov had gold, followed by Kagiyama and Sato.
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