What we covered here
• History for US women’s figure skating: Alysa Liu became the first American to win a gold medal in 24 years, despite tough competition from her Japanese competitors.
• Gold for USA in women’s hockey: The American team beat defending champions Canada to clinch the gold in 2-1 thriller that went into overtime.
• Jordan Stolz settled for silver: The US speed skating star suffered a shocking upset in the 1500m final by China’s Ning Zhongyan, who finished in an astonishing Olympic record time of 1:41.98.
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USA had a golden day. Catch up on important moments here
What a golden day for Team USA at the Winter Olympics 2026!
The women’s hockey team dethroned Canada to win Olympic gold after a 2-1 overtime thriller. Canada nearly had one hand on the coveted prize before the USA ripped it away with just over two minutes left in regulation. Switzerland beat Sweden in similar dramatic fashion to the bronze.
In the world of figure skating, Alysa Liu won gold in the women’s free skate, becoming the first American to capture figure skating gold in 24 years. Teammate Amber Glenn came in fifth place overall, which speaks volumes to the strength of her performance today after a disappointing routine Tuesday landed her in 13th.
Here are other notable medal moments from today:
China’s skating win: Team USA’s Jordan Stolz was going for a third gold medal in Milan but came up just short, losing to China’s Ning Zhongyan in the men’s 1500m speed skating.
USA’s curling record: The US women’s curling team is heading to the semifinals for the first time in 24 years after winning on a spectacular final throw.
Norway wins…again: The country claimed its 16th gold medal of these Games after winning the Nordic combined team sprint, pipping the Finnish team by half a second.
Skimo’s first-ever winner: Switzerland’s Marianne Fatton made history by clinching the first-ever women’s skimo sprint gold medal. Spain’s Oriol Cardona Coll claimed the gold in the men’s ski mountaineering sprint – Spain’s first Winter Games gold in 54 years, and its second ever.
Another newsworthy moment:
Love at the Olympics: Ahead of her epic late goal against Canada, Team USA’s Hilary Knight proposed to Brittany Bowe, decked out in team gear of course.
CNN’s Thomas Schlachter, Hannah Keyser and Frank Nunns O’Connell contributed to this report.
Here's how Mikaela Shiffrin mentally prepared for the Olympics
Sticky notes on mirrors, self-talk, inspiration from teammates: star skier Mikaela Shiffrin describes how she built herself up mentally ahead of the Olympics. We’ll toast that.
She talks to CNN’s Coy Wire about her gold medal-winning journey:
“It was just right”: Alysa Liu on her victorious return to the Olympic Games
Alysa Liu’s gold medal in the women’s figure skating wrapped up an incredible day for Team USA.
And like those watching, it seems like Liu still hasn’t recovered.
“I don’t even know if I can take you through the program. I’m still there,” Liu said after her mesmerizing win.
But while those cheering on the Team USA star might not have been able to watch every moment of her nail-biting routine, the 20-year-old seemed the chillest person in the room.
“I was so calm when I started. I have this breathing technique that I use throughout this program, and I was just making sure to lock in on that, be as smooth as I can and look out into the crowd during all my transitions,” she revealed.
“I did that, and I felt everyone’s energy. I felt my energy. I feel good, I feel confident and I put it all out there.”
This is Liu’s second gold of the Games, adding to her victory in the team figure skating event – a remarkable achievement for someone who retired after the Games in Beijing four years ago.
Speaking on whether she was glad to return to the sport, Liu succinctly summed it up.
“It was just right.”
Alysa Liu is a joyous case study in sportsmanship and overcoming haters
Alysa Liu’s triumph is also a victory for those who have been battered by haters.
Liu’s carefree effervescence was on full display during her immensely difficult – yet exuberant – performance.
And after the final skater, Ami Nakai of Japan, delivered a strong free skate, Liu dashed over and picked up her competitor, cheering and congratulating the bronze medalist.
“To lose it that way, it’s tough”: Canada veteran reacts to tense defeat in gold medal game
Canada nearly had one hand on the gold medal before the USA ripped it away with just over two minutes left in regulation in today’s women’s ice hockey final.
With the USA snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, Canada’s veteran forward Natalie Spooner admitted postgame that it wasn’t the easiest way to lose.
“It’s tough to lose that way with a three-on-three. We were right there all game,” Spooner said after the overtime defeat. “We had a great start, we were getting chances. It was one of the best games we were able to put together.”
Canada lost 5-0 to the USA in the group stages but performed much better in this matchup, thwarting the USA at almost every opportunity. But the Americans stepped up their performance late on.
“We knew we had the experience and resilience in our group. A lot of people have overcome a lot of things in our team and we knew we had that fight in us. When you come into these tournaments, you want to bring gold back to your country.”
And Canada came so close to doing just that.
“To lose it that way, it’s tough … Any way of losing is tough when you’re on the losing side.”
"I enjoyed my program a lot," Alysa Liu says
Alysa Liu radiates confidence.
Right before she collected her medal, someone complimented her routine and she responded, “Thank you. I enjoyed my program a lot, too.”
On Tuesday, she had talked about how confident she is in herself.
"I'm lost for words”: Team USA's gold medal game-winner on dramatic goal
Megan Keller’s overtime winner over Canada in the women’s ice hockey final won’t be quickly forgotten.
The 29-year-old deftly skated past Canada defender Claire Thompson before somehow forcing the puck past on-form goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens to send the Americans into joyous rapture.
As the puck settled in the back of the net, Keller’s teammates flooded onto the ice and created a memory of a lifetime for everyone involved.
Canada had its chances to win gold in overtime, but it was the USA who scored the crucial goal.
“Just the effort and the faith that we kept through this four-year journey is something very special,” Keller added.
Sarah Hughes won the last Olympic figure skating gold. She applauded for her successor today
Retired figure skater Sarah Hughes, the last female Olympian to win a gold medal for the United States, was in the audience today applauding her successor Alysa Liu.
It’s been 24 year since Hughes won, and today, Liu will bring the Olympic glory and gold back to the United States.
Alysa Liu's first move after winning Olympic gold was to celebrate a competitor
With Amber Glenn sitting off to her right, Alysa Liu sat nervously in the winner’s chair as the judges got ready to announce the scores for the final skater Ami Nakai.
Liu clapped nervously and seemed to whisper, “I’m not sure what to do.”
After a dramatic pause after the scores were revealed, showing that Liu was the Olympic champion and the first American woman to win gold, the first thing she did was run to Nakai and lift her up off the ground.
Liu was very, very eager to share the spotlight, holding Nakai’s hand up as the cameras cut to her. As workers set up the medal ceremony and cameras crowded around her, Liu retained what can only be described as her epic chill.
She didn’t scream or cry. She just enjoyed it.
Team USA's Alysa Liu wins the gold medal in women's figure skating
Team USA’s Alysa Liu wins the gold medal in women’s figure skating after a triumphant performance that caps a remarkable comeback.
Liu’s final score 226.79 between the short program and tonight’s free skate tops the field. She’s made to wait after Japan’s Ami Nakai’s stellar performance, but Nakai has to settle for bronze with a total score of 219.16. Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto grabs silver with a 224.90 over the short program and the free skate.
"Queen Kaori" Sakamoto delivers performances full of symbolism
I loved the symbolism in Kaori Sakamoto’s music, both in her short program on Tuesday and in her free skate just moments ago.
This is the living legend’s final Olympics. The three-time world champion will retire at the end of this season.
For her short program, she skated – appropriately in Milan – to “Time to Say Goodbye” by Italian superstar Andrea Bocelli. And her free skate music? “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien” (No, I Don’t Regret Anything).
Known as “Queen Kaori” among fans, she is beloved around the world not just for her incredible talent and power, but for her remarkable sportsmanship. Last year, for example, when Alysa Liu dethroned Sakamoto and prevented her from winning a fourth straight world championship, what did Queen Kaori do? She jumped up and down and cheered wildly for Liu.
Alysa Liu just guaranteed herself an Olympic medal in her comeback
Alysa Liu hadn’t stopped spinning before the crowd started erupting.
Having clapped, sung, and cheered along for the entirety of Liu’s free skate, they had enough and let loose with an ovation that threatened to raise the rafters.
Liu, so effortless and powerful, proceeded to casually flip her ponytail and wipe her hands, as if to say, “No biggie.” Whether it’s good enough for gold to match her golden dress remains to be seen.
There are two skaters to go but her explosion for a 150.20 in the free skate vaults her to 226.79, tops in the standings. That’s a throw-down.
It’s been 24 years since an American woman won figure skating gold.
Alysa Liu nailed that routine and jumped to the top of the leaderboard
US figure skater Alysa Liu had the most fun as she delivered a scintillating and energetic routine. The audience roared and cheered for her.
She earned 226.79 in a combined score from today’s routine and Tuesday’s short skate routine. Liu is in the top spot now and is guaranteed a medal.
She screamed and jumped with joy as she met her coaches and gave them hugs right after coming off the ice. Team USA teammate Ilia Malinin was seen applauding for her in the audience.
Alysa Liu is now up for her routine
This routine will decide if US figure skater Alysa Liu will take an Olympic medal home tonight.
If she wins, she will become the first American to hit the Olympic podium in 20 years. If she takes gold, she will be the first to claim gold since 2002.
Amber Glenn still in a medal spot after being bumped out of top spot
Some disappointment for American Amber Glenn as she’s knocked out of the top spot by Japan’s Mone Chiba, but it’s still been a great night for the Texan.
If Glenn actually makes it onto the podium after entering in 13th place, this would probably be the biggest comeback between a short and long program since Nathan Chen in 2018. A catastrophic short program put Nathan in 17th place. Then he rallied in the free skate by landing an unprecedented six quads to surge from 17th place to 5th place overall.
She remains in second place with three skaters left.
Hilary Knight makes history as US wins gold
When the USA needed a hero, it was only right that Hilary Knight was the one to save the day.
With Knight’s last-gasp equalizer against Canada, the veteran wrote herself into US hockey history, becoming the women’s all-time Olympic goals and points leader.
“No way,” Knight said when being told of the news on the NBC broadcast. “I’m just happy to have a gold medal. Oh my gosh, this feels amazing.”
Knight admitted that the US was slow to get going in the final. But when it mattered most, the team stepped up.
“Fortunate that we have an amazing squad to be able to get the job done,” the team captain added.
And the 36-year-old might not be done with the Olympics after all.
When asked if she’ll be back for another Winter Games, Knight responded, “We’ll see.”
The next Winter Olympics are in 2030.
Alysa Liu is warming up on the ice now
Team USA’s Alysa Liu, who is back to figure skating after a 2.5-year break, is warming up on the ice now at the Ice Skating Arena in Milan.
Liu is aiming to become the first American to hit the Olympic podium in 20 years and the first to claim gold since 2002.
Liu was on the ice and there was a big ovation.
A contrast in emotions laid bare in Olympic hockey drama
What a brilliant moment for Team USA. They were just two minutes away from losing this final, but the players will now be walking away from Milan with a gold medal around their necks.
The entire US team skated out onto the ice to celebrate the winner, helmets, gloves and sticks strewn all over the ice, as their fans jumped all over each other in the stands.
As for Canada? Just pure heartbreak. None of the players moved after conceding the winner. It barely looked like they could talk. Only a few minutes after the goal did the realization dawn on them, and players began consoling each other.
Never has winning a silver medal felt like such a gut-punch.
Team USA wins women’s hockey gold in overtime!
Team USA scores the overtime winner to earn the 2-1 win against Canada and secure the coveted gold medal over the team’s longtime ice rival.
Megan Keller scored the vital goal for Team USA, dancing past Canada’s Claire Thompson before tucking the puck past Ann-Renee Desbiens.
Team USA rejoices as the Canadians are left gutted.
Hilary Knight’s late goal in regulation was dramatic – full credit to her to send the game to OT.
Keller’s heroics have sent her teammates onto the ice to await the honor of receiving gold.
