Hello from Milan and Cortina, where Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, the Norwegian cross-country skier, won his ninth gold medal, giving him the most in Winter Olympics history.
Plus, Italian Alpine skier Federica Brignone won another gold less than a year after a violent crash, and the Dutch duo of Femke Kok and Jutta Leerdam dethroned American Erin Jackson in the speedskating 500-meter final.
The Milan Cortina Games are rapidly approaching their conclusion, marked by both triumphant performances and unexpected setbacks. The competition continues to deliver compelling narratives of resilience, athletic prowess, and national pride.
A Historic Performance
Cross-country skiing star Johannes Høsflot Klæbo cemented his place in Olympic history on Sunday, claiming his ninth career gold medal. This achievement surpasses the previous record held jointly by three other Norwegian athletes: Marit Bjoergen, Ole Einar Bjorndalen, and Bjorn Daehlie. Klæbo anchored the Norwegian team to victory in the 4×7.5-kilometer relay, adding to his already impressive medal haul at these Games.
“I’ve just tried to enjoy the moments today,” Klæbo said. “Being able to do that and take the ninth one with the team is special, and it couldn’t be a better way to do that.”
With two more races remaining – the team sprint on Wednesday and the 50-kilometer race on Saturday – Klæbo has the opportunity to further extend his record and potentially reach double figures. At 29 years old, his continued dominance suggests he may remain a force in the sport for years to come.
Brignone’s Remarkable Comeback
Italian Alpine skier Federica Brignone continues to defy expectations at the Milan Cortina Games. Less than a year after sustaining a severe leg injury – involving multiple fractures and requiring two surgeries and 42 stitches – Brignone secured her second gold medal of the Olympics in the women’s giant slalom on February 15th. Her combined time of 2:13.50 was nearly a full second faster than her competitors.
Brignone’s victory is particularly poignant given the severity of her injury, which she described as bringing her “very close to not being able to be an athlete anymore.” She returned to skiing in January, a testament to her determination and the skill of her medical team.
The Italian skier, nicknamed “the Tiger,” previously won gold in the super-G, marking her first Olympic gold medal after previously winning silver and bronze at past Games. She is now the oldest women’s Alpine skiing Olympic champion.
The race saw a rare tie for silver between Sweden’s Sara Hector and Norway’s Thea Louise Stjernesund, who finished with identical times. Both skiers bowed to Brignone to acknowledge her victory.
Speedskating Upset
In the women’s 500-meter speedskating final, Dutch skater Femke Kok dethroned defending champion Erin Jackson of the United States. Kok finished with a blazing time of 36.49 seconds, setting a new Olympic record. Jackson, who had a strong start, finished in fifth place, just 0.05 seconds off the bronze medal.
Kok’s teammate, Jutta Leerdam, secured the silver medal, adding to her earlier victory in the 1,000-meter final. Jackson graciously congratulated Kok after the race, demonstrating sportsmanship despite the loss.
Shiffrin’s Struggles Continue
American Alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin faced another disappointing result on Sunday, failing to medal in the women’s giant slalom. She finished in 11th place. Shiffrin will have one final opportunity to win a medal at these Games in the slalom competition on Wednesday, hoping to avoid going medalless at consecutive Olympics. Since Pyeongchang in 2018, Shiffrin has failed to win a medal in eight straight Olympic races.
Other Results
The U.S. Men’s curling team upset Sweden 8-5, while the U.S. Men’s hockey team dominated Germany 5-1, securing a bye into the quarterfinals. Canada and Slovakia also won their respective groups. The figure skating pairs competition began with the short program, where the German pair of Nikita Volodin and Minerva Fabienne Hase currently lead with a score of 80.01. The American pairs are currently ranked 7th and 9th.
Athlete Spotlight
Brignone’s journey back to the pinnacle of her sport is a testament to her resilience and determination. She acknowledged the significance of simply being able to compete at the Olympics after her injury, stating, “Actually, I was just happy to be at the Olympics. For me, it was an achievement, like something special, and that’s why I think I won, because I was just happy already and grateful to be here.”
Looking Ahead
Monday’s schedule includes the women’s hockey semifinals, where the U.S. Team will face Sweden, and Canada will compete against Switzerland. Medal events are also scheduled for pairs figure skating and women’s monobob. The men’s slalom will also see its first run.
