What we watched
• Team USA holds off Denmark: A game full of geopolitical tension ended in an easy 6-3 victory for Team USA after the pesky Danes hung around and challenged the NHL-heavy American roster.
American skating star is born: Team USA’s Jordan Stolz won his second gold of these Games with a win in the 500m speed skate in Olympic record time, pipping Dutchman Jenning de Boo for the second final in a row.
• Olympic history made: Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen sensationally won gold in the men’s giant slalom, marking South America’s first ever medal at a Winter Games.
• Shocking skating loss: The Games are still reeling after USA’s Ilia Malinin said he “blew it” after he placed a shocking eighth in the men’s figure skating final yesterday. He fell twice during the routine.
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Catch up on another wild day in the Olympics
It’s been 24 hours since the shocking outcome in the men’s single free skate event that saw the overwhelming favorite Ilia Malinin fail to medal.
While many still probably haven’t overcome the stunning turn of the events, Saturday still proved to be a fun one at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games.
Here are notable moments from today:
Even though it wasn’t as easy as it probably should have been, Team USA hockey defeated Denmark 6-3 in their second group game of the games.
The Americans have jumped out to a 2-0 record and will play Germany in Milan tomorrow night for first place in Group C and a ticket to the quarterfinals.
Move over Malinin because a new American winter sports star has arrived – Jordan Stolz.
The 21-year-old speed skater secured his second gold medal of the games with a win in the 500m speed skate in Olympic record time.
Today also saw history be made with Lucas Pinheiro Braathen of Brazil taking home gold in the men’s giant slalom alpine skiing event. It marked the first-ever medal at a Winter Games for South America.
Other golden moments:
Jens van ‘t Wout of the Netherlands won the gold medal in the men’s 1500m short track speed skating event at the Milano Ice Skating Arena.
Slovenia’s Domen Prevc took the gold medal in the men’s large hill individual event at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics as the 26-year-old was the only athlete to score more than 300 points (301.8) during Saturday’s medal round.
Janine Flock won gold for Austria in women’s skeleton after flawless final run
Maren Kirkeeide won gold in the women’s biathlon as Norway picks up another gold medal
Australia’s Jakara Anthony won women’s dual moguls gold as American Jaelin Kauf came up short
In other news:
On Friday, things got fiery at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, where Canada defeated Sweden 8-6 in a thriller that featured drama on the ice and now off of it as well.
Sweden had accused the Canadian team of touching the stone after it was originally released – a taboo in the sport which the Canadians disputed. The issue resulted in World Curling issuing a statement on Saturday ahead of competition, clarifying not just the use of instant replay and the roles of game umpires, but reminding everyone about “inappropriate behavior.”
US skier Lindsey Vonn, who has been spending the last week or so in a hospital bed after her awful crash in Cortina d’Ampezzo, is going to be able to return home after her fourth post-crash surgery.
She posted a lengthy message on Instagram that you can read in full here but it’s chock full of inspiration from someone who is going through one of the most difficult experiences one can imagine.
CNN’s Kyle Feldscher, Dana O’Neil, Ben Church, Thomas Schlachter contributed to this report.
Team USA beats Denmark 6-3 to maintain unbeaten campaign so far
They didn’t make it look easy at times but Team USA wins its group game against Denmark 6-3.
The Danes looked hungry for an upset in the first period but the experience and quality in the US roster began to shine through by the end.
It means the US has now won both of its opening games at this year’s Winter Olympics and will play Germany here tomorrow night for first place in Group C and a ticket to the quarterfinals.
The night ends in loud renditions of “U-S-A!”.
Team USA scores again to lead Denmark 6-3
Well, the Danes threatened for a bit, but the might of Team USA finally came through.
With just over five minutes remaining, Jack Hughes scored to surely put the game beyond the reach of Denmark. Some more questionable goalkeeping from Frederik Dichow, who replaced Mads Sogaard earlier in the game.
Team USA stretches lead again to 5-3 over Denmark
That should steady the nerves.
Team USA’s Jake Guentzel scores as we approach the halfway mark in this third period. The reaction from the crowd showed just how important that might be, with this game drifting toward what could have been a tense final few minutes for the US.
The US will be looking for a few more, as goal differential plays a role in seedings in round robin play. But simply getting out of the arena with a win tonight seems like as good a result as any right now.
Jens van 't Wout adds to the Dutch medal haul with 1500m short track speed skating gold
Jens van ‘t Wout of the Netherlands won the gold medal in the men’s 1500m short track speed skating event at the Milano Ice Skating Arena.
It’s the first Olympic medal for the 24-year-old Dutchman in his second Olympic Games.
South Korea’s Daeheon Hwang took the silver medal while Latvian skater Roberts Kruzbergs finished with the bronze.
This is the third gold medal of these Olympics for the speed skating powerhouse nation – in fact, all eight of the Netherlands’ medals at the Milan Cortina Games have come in either speed skating or short track speed skating.
No American skaters made the medal race.
Greenland flags waved in the stands before third period starts
The third period of this game is underway and the neutrals will hope it stays as chaotic.
Just before the players took to the ice, someone waving a Greenland flag was shown on the big screen inside the arena. The moment was cheered and then three other Greenland flags were waved in stand opposite to where I’m sitting.
That whole political tension is definitely under the surface here, but no one is taking it very seriously.
Denmark strikes back just before the end of second period
Hold on a minute…
It’s been all Team USA during this period and it looked as though they would just breeze away with it.
But just 2.6 seconds before the end of the period, Denmark’s Phillip Bruggisser scored out of nowhere to cut the deficit to 4-3.
Team USA’s Jeremy Swayman is having a pretty terrible game. The Danes have 11 shots and three of them have gotten into the net. That’s … not great.
Team USA stretches its lead over Denmark to 4-2
Is that game over already?
Team USA has scored again to take a two-goal lead in the game. This time its Noah Hanifin who takes a shot through Mads Sogaard’s legs and then hits the post, only just dribbling over the line.
Danish players tried to scramble the puck away but couldn’t get there in time.
A huge period for Team USA here.
Team USA takes 3-2 lead against Denmark
Here it comes. After a poor start to this game, Team USA have turned up in the second period and have now scored twice in quick succession to get ahead.
Jack Eichel wins the face off in the Denmark end and then pounces on a loose puck, firing it over Mads Sogaard’s shoulder for the goal and celebrates wildly. That’s two goals in less than a minute for the US to flip this game on its head.
You feel Denmark might be in trouble here.
Team USA ties the score 2-2 against Denmark
A brilliant goal from Brady Tkachuk brings Team USA back level against Denmark.
The snapshot right off the face off in the Denmark end just flies past Mads Sogaard and you can feel the pressure lift a little bit off the Americans’ shoulders.
They’ve been piling on the pressure in this second period and you felt a goal was coming. Now they’ll hope to kick on and get ahead.
Second period underway between Denmark and USA
We are back underway here in Milan as Denmark look to stage a surprise victory over Team USA.
You feel they might be up against it and are under pressure early on.
Proposal in the stands on Valentine's Day
It’s Valentine’s Day so of course there was going to be a proposal inside the arena at some point.
One very nervous man just went down on one knee during the break in hockey action and, from the reaction, his partner said yes!
Everyone around them stood to applaud the happy couple and they look very much in love.
Now the stadium is sining John Lennon’s “Imagine” together. It’s all good vibes at the moment.
First period ends with Denmark 2-1 up
Very few would have expected this after the first period.
Under a lot of pressure from the US, Denmark holds onto its 2-1 lead. The period ends in a little scuffle with Team USA clearly frustrated by how that opening 20 minutes went.
Although the majority of fans inside this arena are supporting Team USA, the Danish fans are trying to make themselves heard but keep getting drowned out by the American support whenever they start a chant.
Lindsey Vonn able to return home after fourth surgery in Italy
Lindsey Vonn is going home.
After a fourth surgery in Italy, Vonn said on Instagram Saturday that she will be able to return to the US to continue her recovery.
In her post, Vonn shared a lengthy message for her fans.
“I have been reading a lot of messages and comments saying that what has happened to me makes them sad. Please, don’t be sad. Empathy, love and support I welcome with an open heart, but please not sadness or sympathy. I hope instead it gives you strength to keep fighting, because that is what I am doing and that is what I will continue to do. Always,” she wrote.
Vonn added, “I was willing to risk and push and sacrifice for something I knew I was absolutely capable of doing. I will always take the risk of crashing while giving it my all, rather than not ski to my potential and have regret. I never want to cross finish line and say, ‘What if?” And to be perfectly honest, I was stronger physically in that moment than I have been often in the past. Certainly stronger than I was when I ended career in 2019 where I got a bronze medal in the World Championships.
“And mentally…. Mentally I was perfect. Clear, focused, hungry, aggressive yet completely calm… just as I had practiced over the past few months when I was on the podium in every downhill this season. 2 wins and leading the standings… that was all a test to prepare me for the Olympics. Mentally, I was more ready than I have ever been.
“So please, don’t feel sad. The ride was worth the fall. When I close my eyes at night I don’t have regrets and the love I have for skiing remains. I am still looking forward to the moment when I can stand on the top of the mountain once more. And I will.”
Denmark takes the lead after USA howler
Denmark takes the lead again in this game after the strangest of goals.
Nicholas B Jensen takes a shot at goal from distance – just a few feet from the center-ice red line – and everyone assumed it would be a hopeless toss at the net.
Somehow, USA goalie Jeremy Swayman didn’t see it or lost it or just messed up. He throws his blocker at the incoming puck but misses and it goes straight into the back of the net.
Danish fans didn’t really know how to react, many of them missed it!
Team USA levels against Denmark
It’s been a hectic start to this game.
After going behind, the US are back tied after a goal from Matt Boldy. Chants of “U-S-A!” have started up again in the stands. A strange goal as Boldy scores on the wrap-around when Danish goalie Mads Sogaard gets himself into a baffling position.
Sogaard slid out to cut down the angle as Boldy skated into the zone, made the save on Boldy’s initial shot but then slid almost out of the crease totally. The Minnesota Wild forward grabbed the rebound, circled the net and tucked it just inside the post.
I’m among the supporters so can tell you it’s very loud.
Denmark take the early lead against Team USA
Well, that wasn’t in the script.
The game has barely begun and Denmark are 1-0 up after a scramble around the crease. Nick Olesen got the final touch.
There’s some question about whether he might have kicked it in but ultimately the goal stands. Additional replays show it actually bounced off the skate of Zach Werenski, the Columbus Blue Jackets player defenseman was charging to try and clear Olesen out of the danger area.
Some boos for Denmark as puck drops in US hockey game
The puck has dropped in this round robin game between US and Denmark, with a majority American crowd making themselves heard.
There were some boos when the Denmark team came out on the rink, hard to tell if that’s just standard sporting trash-talk or a nod to the ongoing tensions between the two nations.
Everything quickly moves on though, with fans excited to see the action. Loud chants of “U-S-A!” rings around the stands.
Slovenian ski jumper Domen Prevc wins his second gold of the Games
Slovenia’s Domen Prevc took the gold medal in the men’s large hill individual event at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics as the 26-year-old was the only athlete to score more than 300 points (301.8) during Saturday’s medal round.
Appearing in his first Olympics, Prevc had already won gold for Slovenia as part of his country’s mixed team ski jumping quartet, where he competed alongside his sister Nika.
Prevc entered the final round at the Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium a full seven points behind Japan’s Ren Nikaido. But under tremendous pressure, Prevc came up huge with the best jump of the day when it mattered the most, soaring an incredible 141.5 meters and flying right past Nikaido on the leaderboard.
Nikaido would finish with silver after a disappointing jump in the final round.
Tomasiak Kacper of Poland claimed the bronze medal.
Slovenia now has two golds at these Olympics, both coming in ski jumping events and both courtesy of Prevc.
