Breakthrough Victories Across Multiple Disciplines (Image Credits: Upload.wikimedia.org)
Milano Cortina, Italy – United States athletes captured five medals on Tuesday, elevating Team USA’s performance at the ongoing 2026 Winter Olympics.[1]
Breakthrough Victories Across Multiple Disciplines
Team USA’s haul featured three silver medals and two bronzes, spread across freeskiing, cross-country skiing, curling, luge, and alpine skiing. This outburst came on day four of competition, showcasing the depth of American talent in the Italian Alps.[1]
Alex Hall earned silver in freeski slopestyle, dazzling crowds with aerial tricks and precise landings. Ben Ogden claimed silver in the men’s sprint classic cross-country skiing final, marking the first U.S. medal in that discipline in 50 years. Meanwhile, Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropnik secured silver in mixed doubles curling, a historic first for the United States in the sport.[1]
Ashley Farquharson took bronze in women’s singles luge, the second such medal ever for an American woman in the event. Jacqueline Wiles and Paula Moltzan rounded out the day with bronze in the women’s team combined alpine skiing event.
Milestones That Redefine U.S. Winter Sports Legacy
The curling silver stood out as a landmark achievement, breaking new ground for Team USA in a sport long dominated by Canada and other northern nations. Thiesse and Dropnik’s steady play in the final endeared them to fans back home.
Ogden’s cross-country feat evoked memories of past eras, reigniting interest in a discipline where Americans rarely podium. Farquharson’s luge bronze added to a growing tradition, building on prior breakthroughs by U.S. sliders. These results highlighted rigorous training and tactical adjustments paying off under pressure.[1]
| Athlete(s) | Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Hall | Freeski slopestyle | Silver |
| Ben Ogden | Men’s sprint classic cross-country skiing | Silver |
| Cory Thiesse, Korey Dropnik | Mixed doubles curling | Silver |
| Ashley Farquharson | Women’s singles luge | Bronze |
| Jacqueline Wiles, Paula Moltzan | Women’s team combined alpine skiing | Bronze |
Climbing the Medal Standings Amid Fierce Competition
These five medals pushed Team USA’s total to 10, including three golds, positioning the squad third overall behind Norway and host Italy. Earlier successes featured Breezy Johnson’s gold in women’s downhill skiing and Elizabeth Lemley’s gold in women’s moguls, paired with Jaelin Kauf’s silver in the same event.[2]
Ilia Malinin contributed to the figure skating team gold, solidifying early momentum. Johnson reflected on her downhill triumph, stating it “doesn’t feel real yet.”[2] Officials noted the balanced attack across sports as key to sustaining this pace through the Games’ second week.
Key Takeaways
- Team USA’s five-medal day featured firsts in curling and a cross-country milestone after 50 years.
- Total now stands at 10 medals (3 gold), third in standings as Olympics progress.
- Diverse successes in skiing, luge, and more signal rising U.S. winter sports prowess.
Team USA’s Tuesday explosion signals potential for more podium finishes before the Milano Cortina Games conclude on February 22. With Norway leading the pack, Americans eye golds in speedskating and hockey next. What events will deliver the next U.S. highlights? Share your predictions in the comments.
