Olympic Schedule Today: Canada Eyes First Gold Medal at Milano-Cortina Games
California sports fans, get ready for a thrilling day of Olympic action as the Milano-Cortina Games continue! Day 9 promises significant medal opportunities for Canada, with moguls legend Mikaël Kingsbury poised to potentially deliver the nation's first gold of the event. Beyond the slopes, the Canadian men's hockey team aims to secure a top seed, and other Canadian athletes will compete for podium finishes in alpine skiing and snowboarding.
Freestyle Skiing: Kingsbury's Shot at Gold in Dual Moguls
All eyes will be on freestyle skier Mikaël Kingsbury today as he competes in the men's dual moguls event, with competition kicking off at 4:30 a.m. ET. Kingsbury, widely considered the greatest of all time in his sport, narrowly missed out on gold in the traditional moguls event earlier this week, settling for a silver medal due to a complex tiebreaker. This dual moguls event, making its Olympic debut, offers him a prime opportunity to claim Canada's first gold.
Kingsbury has an exceptional record in dual moguls, boasting five world titles, including the last four consecutively. His primary rival, Japan's Ikuma Horishima, who won the dual world title in 2017 and upset Kingsbury for traditional moguls gold at last year's World Championships, will also be a strong contender. Horishima secured his second consecutive Olympic bronze in the traditional event on Thursday. Canada's Julien Viel also presents a medal threat, having finished sixth in the traditional moguls and winning a World Cup dual gold recently.
The dual moguls format sees two athletes race head-to-head down the course, with the higher score advancing. The competition will build through semifinals at 5:35 a.m. ET, followed by the bronze medal final at 5:46 a.m. ET and the highly anticipated gold medal final at 5:48 a.m. ET.
In other freestyle skiing news, Canadian Maïa Schwinghammer was eliminated in the women's dual moguls. Meanwhile, Megan Oldham earned the top score in women's big air qualifying, with Naomi Urness also advancing to Monday's final. Oldham has already secured a bronze in slopestyle.
Alpine Skiing: Val Grenier in Women's Giant Slalom
The women's giant slalom also features prominently on the Olympic schedule today, with Canada's Val Grenier aiming for a strong performance. The first run is scheduled for 4 a.m. ET, and the crucial final run, where medal positions will be decided, takes place at 7:30 a.m. ET.
Grenier, currently ranked eighth in the World Cup giant slalom standings, has demonstrated consistent success in the discipline over recent seasons, securing four World Cup medals, including two golds and a bronze. The field for the women's giant slalom is highly competitive, featuring top contenders such as Austria's Julia Scheib, Sweden's defending Olympic champion Sara Hector, Italy's Federica Brignone, and the formidable American slalom specialist Mikaela Shiffrin.
The giant slalom competition involves two runs down the course, with the combined times determining the final standings. This event requires a blend of speed, precision, and technical skill, making it a captivating spectacle for fans.
Snowboard Cross: Canadian Contenders in Mixed Team Event
The snowboard cross mixed team event is another highlight for Canadian fans. Éliot Grondin, who showed strong form in the individual snowboard cross on Thursday, and Audrey McManiman will represent Canada. This exciting discipline involves teams of two athletes competing against each other in a high-speed, multi-racer format, adding an extra layer of intensity and strategy.
Men's Hockey: Canada Eyes Top Seed in Group Finale
The Canadian men's national hockey team will play their final group-stage game today, aiming to clinch the top seed in their pool. A strong performance in this match is crucial for securing a favorable position in the upcoming playoff rounds. Fans can expect a physical and strategic contest as the team battles for dominance on the ice.
As the Milano-Cortina Games progress, today's schedule offers a compelling mix of individual brilliance, team competition, and the pursuit of Olympic glory. Stay tuned for all the action and updates!