Day 1 at Milan-Cortina: Lollobrigida Shines, U.S. Women’s Hockey Dominates, and “Quad God” Has Room to Grow
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina are officially underway, and Day 1 wasted no time delivering drama, emotion, and a few unforgettable performances. From a hometown hero making history on her birthday to a U.S. women’s hockey team firing on all cylinders, Saturday had the full Olympic range - triumph, heartbreak, and everything in between.
Let’s break down the biggest storylines from the opening day of medal action.
Francesca Lollobrigida Delivers Gold - and a Moment to Remember
Talk about a perfect birthday. On the day she turned 35, Italian speed skater Francesca Lollobrigida gave her home crowd a performance for the ages - and a new Olympic record to boot.
Lollobrigida blazed through the women’s 3,000-meter race in 3:54.28, more than two full seconds ahead of Norway’s Ragne Wiklund. That time not only earned her the gold, it also set a new Olympic benchmark. But the moment didn’t end at the finish line.
In a heartwarming scene, Lollobrigida celebrated on the track with her 2-year-old son, Tommaso, in her arms. It was a full-circle moment - one of the host nation’s brightest stars delivering under pressure, then sharing the spotlight with her family. Olympic gold, an Olympic record, and a memory that goes far beyond the medal.
Ilia Malinin Shows Flashes, But Leaves Room for More
Ilia Malinin, better known in figure skating circles as “The Quad God,” didn’t quite live up to his nickname in Saturday’s team event - but he still gave fans a glimpse of the jaw-dropping talent that’s made him a must-watch.
Malinin nailed a quad flip, but his quad lutz came up short, getting credit for just three rotations. That technical slip dropped him to second in the short program behind Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama. Still, his effort helped Team USA secure a spot in the team final.
While it wasn’t peak Malinin, the crowd stayed locked in, clearly appreciating the high-risk, high-reward style he brings to the ice. And with more events ahead, there’s still plenty of time for “The Quad God” to make his mark on Milan-Cortina.
Switzerland’s Franjo von Allmen Claims First Gold of the Games
The first gold medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics belongs to Switzerland’s Franjo von Allmen - and it came on one of the toughest downhill courses in the sport.
Von Allmen tamed the 2-mile Stelvio course, clocking in at 1:51.61 - just 0.20 seconds ahead of Italy’s Giovanni Franzoni - to win the men’s downhill. It was a razor-thin margin on a course known for testing even the most seasoned veterans.
Von Allmen’s road to the podium hasn’t been easy. After losing his father seven years ago, he turned to crowdfunding to keep his skiing dreams alive. On Saturday, those dreams turned into gold.
Team USA Women’s Hockey Keeps Rolling
Team USA’s women’s hockey squad is off to a dominant start, and Saturday’s 5-0 win over Finland only reinforced their status as gold medal favorites.
Megan Keller led the way with a goal and two assists, while Alex Carpenter, Taylor Heise, Hilary Knight, and Abbey Murphy each found the back of the net. Laila Edwards - already making history as part of this year’s roster - added two assists in another standout performance.
Finland, still recovering from a norovirus outbreak that sidelined much of its team earlier in the week, had most of its players back in the lineup. But the U.S. was simply too fast, too deep, and too sharp. Through two games, Team USA has outscored its opponents 10-1 - and they’re just getting started.
Chock and Bates Shine in Team Ice Dance
Madison Chock and Evan Bates brought their signature chemistry and precision to the Olympic stage once again, delivering a season-best 133.23 in the ice dance free program during the team event.
Skating to “Paint it, Black,” the reigning three-time world champions looked every bit the part. Their performance helped boost Team USA’s standing in the team competition and set the tone for their individual medal campaign later in the Games.
For Chock and Bates - both veterans of the sport and a couple off the ice - this was a strong statement to open their Olympic run.
Ollie Martin Just Misses Snowboard Big Air Podium
Seventeen-year-old Ollie Martin showed nerves of steel in the snowboard big air finals, landing a frontside 1800 after a rocky first run. It was a gutsy move that nearly vaulted him onto the podium.
But in a stacked field, it wasn’t quite enough. Japan’s Kira Kimura took gold, with compatriot Ryoma Kimata earning silver and China’s Yiming Su grabbing bronze. Martin finished fourth - just outside medal territory, but with a performance that showed he’s a name to remember.
Lindsey Vonn Posts Strong Training Run Despite Torn ACL
Yes, you read that right - Lindsey Vonn is back on skis, and she’s doing it with a torn ACL.
The 41-year-old American legend finished third in Saturday’s training run, defying both age and injury in what could be the most ambitious challenge of her decorated career. She’s set to compete Sunday in the first of three races that could define her Olympic swan song.
Vonn’s return alone is a story. But if she finds a way to reach the podium in Milan-Cortina, it’ll be one for the history books.
Up Next:
With Day 1 in the books, the 2026 Winter Olympics are already delivering on their promise. From record-setting performances to emotional victories and near-misses, it’s clear we’re in for a special two weeks.
Stay tuned. The snow is just starting to fall.