Winter Olympics 2026 Medal Tally: Early Leaders After Day One

The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics have burst onto the global stage with a spectacular opening day, setting the tone for two weeks of high-stakes winter sports action in the Italian Alps. As the first medals are awarded, traditional powerhouses like Norway are already asserting dominance, while host nation Italy celebrates its inaugural gold. For Australian fans, it's a mix of promise and patience, with snowboarder Valentino Guseli delivering a solid but medal-free performance. In this comprehensive breakdown, we dive into the current medal tally, key highlights from day one, and what to watch as the competition heats up.

Current Medal Tally Overview

After the frenetic first day of competition on February 7, 2026, the medal standings reflect a familiar yet exciting landscape. Norway tops the table with one gold, showcasing its ski jumping prowess. Italy and Switzerland each claim a gold, rounding out the early leaders. No silvers or bronzes have been decided in some events yet, but the tally is poised for rapid expansion as more disciplines kick off.

• Norway: 1 Gold, 0 Silver, 0 Bronze (Total: 1)
• Italy: 1 Gold, 0 Silver, 0 Bronze (Total: 1)
• Switzerland: 1 Gold, 0 Silver, 0 Bronze (Total: 1)
• Japan: 0 Gold, 1 Silver, 0 Bronze (Total: 1)
• China: 0 Gold, 0 Silver, 1 Bronze (Total: 1)
• Australia: 0 Medals

This snapshot comes from the men's snowboard big air, women's speed skating 3,000m, men's downhill skiing, and women's normal hill ski jumping events. With 109 events across 15 sports, the tally will evolve quickly, but Norway's early lead underscores its status as a winter sports juggernaut, having topped the medal count in the last four Winter Games.

Host Nation Italy's Golden Start

Italy wasted no time in lighting up the scoreboard. Speed skater Francesca Lollobrigida claimed the host country's first gold in the women's 3,000m event, shattering the Olympic record with a blistering time that left spectators in the Cortina d'Ampezzo rink roaring. Lollobrigida's victory not only boosts national pride but also sets a high bar for Italy's 20-athlete delegation, which includes strong contenders in biathlon and cross-country skiing. As the Games unfold in Milano and Cortina, expect the Italians to leverage home-crowd energy for more podium finishes.

Day One Highlights: Thrills on Snow and Ice

The opening day delivered edge-of-your-seat action across multiple venues. In the men's snowboard big air final, Japanese sensation Kira Kimura soared to gold with a score of 179.50, edging out compatriot Ryoma Kimata for silver (171.50). China's Su Yiming, a Beijing 2022 gold medalist, rounded out the podium with bronze (168.50). The event's high-flying tricks and massive airs captivated a global audience, highlighting snowboarding's evolution into a spectacle of athletic artistry.

Over in alpine skiing, Switzerland's Franjo von Allmen mastered the treacherous downhill course to secure gold, navigating icy conditions and steep drops with precision. His win adds to Switzerland's storied legacy in the discipline, where the country has historically excelled.

Ski jumping provided another highlight, with Norway's Anna Odine Strøm clinching gold in the women's normal hill event (267.3 points). Slovenia's Nika Prevc took silver (266.2), tying on points but losing out on tiebreakers, while Japan's Nozomi Maruyama earned bronze (266.2). Strøm's jumps exemplified Norway's technical dominance, a sign of more medals to come in Nordic events.

In luge, Australia's Alex Ferlazzo sits 19th after the second run of the men's singles, a respectable showing for a nation still building its sliding sports program. Meanwhile, women's skiathlon saw no Australian medals, with Rosie Fordham leading the charge in 49th place among a grueling field.

Australia's Performance: Building Momentum

For the land down under, day one was about laying foundations rather than instant glory. Valentino Guseli, the 20-year-old freestyle snowboarding prodigy, finished 10th in the big air final—a commendable effort given the event's unpredictability. Guseli's best run scored highly, but a minor error in his final attempt kept him off the podium. Eyes now turn to his specialty, the snowboard halfpipe, later in the week, where he's a genuine medal threat after podiums at World Cups.

Australia's flag bearers, moguls stars Jakara Anthony and Matt Graham, didn't compete on day one but represent the team's medal hopes. With 43 athletes—the largest Australian Winter Olympics contingent ever—the focus is on freestyle skiing, where past successes like the 2018 PyeongChang hauls provide optimism. Ferlazzo's luge run shows progress in niche sports, while the women's skiathlon quartet gained valuable experience despite lower finishes.

Historically, Australia has won 19 Winter Olympic medals, mostly in freestyle. A 70-year journey from obscurity to contention began with a snub in 1956, fueling the nation's drive. Experts predict at least three medals in Milano Cortina, with Guseli, Anthony, and Graham as frontrunners.

Challenges and Adaptations for Aussies

Competing in the Northern Hemisphere's winter requires Australian athletes to train in off-season conditions, often abroad. Guseli's preparation in Cardrona, New Zealand, paid dividends, but adapting to Milano's variable snow could prove key. The Australian Olympic Committee emphasizes mental resilience, drawing from the 'Sliding Aussies' luge program's growth since 2014.

Looking Ahead: Predictions and Key Matchups

Day two promises fireworks, with American legend Lindsey Vonn returning for the women's downhill—a potential clash of eras against rising stars like Switzerland's Lara Gut-Behrami. In freestyle, watch for Australian inputs in slopestyle, while cross-country skiing events will test endurance limits.

Norway is favored to extend its lead, potentially sweeping Nordic medals, but underdogs like Japan in snowboarding and Italy in ice events could shake things up. Climate concerns, with warmer temperatures affecting snow quality, add an unpredictable layer—Milano Cortina organizers have contingency plans, including artificial snow enhancements.

As the medal tally grows, Milano Cortina 2026 reaffirms the Winter Olympics' magic: nations united in pursuit of excellence amid stunning alpine backdrops. Stay tuned to Everythiiing.com for live updates, athlete profiles, and in-depth analysis. Will Australia crack the podium soon? The action intensifies from here.

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