Italy Leads Medal Table After Thrilling Day One at Winter Olympics 2026
The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics kicked off with a bang on February 7, as host nation Italy surged to the top of the medal table alongside Japan and Norway. In a day packed with high-speed descents, record-breaking skates, and tactical curling battles, athletes from around the world delivered unforgettable performances. With five gold medals decided, the Games set the stage for two weeks of intense competition in the Italian Alps.
Key Medal Moments: Italy's Golden Start
Italy's Francesca Lollobrigida stole the show in the women's 3,000m speed skating, clinching gold with an Olympic record time of 3:56.21 at the Milano Ice Skating Arena. The 32-year-old's powerful strides and flawless technique left the home crowd roaring, marking Italy's first gold of the Games. "It's a dream come true," Lollobrigida said post-race, her helmet still in hand. This victory contributed to Italy's trio of medals, including silvers in other events, propelling them to joint leadership.
Switzerland's Franjo von Allmen opened the medal tally with the first gold in the men's downhill skiing. Clocking a blistering 1:41.23 down the challenging Cortina d'Ampezzo slopes, von Allmen edged out Austria's Matthias Mayer by 0.12 seconds. The 25-year-old Swiss skier celebrated with a fist pump, calling it "greenlights all the way" in his post-run interview. His win highlighted the precision required in alpine events, where a single mistake can cost dearly.
Norway's Anna Odine Stroem dominated the women's normal hill ski jumping, soaring 98.5 meters to secure gold ahead of Slovenia's world champion Nika Prevc. The Norwegian's aerial control was impeccable, adding to her nation's strong jumping legacy. Meanwhile, Japan celebrated a one-two finish in men's big air snowboarding, with Kira Kimura grabbing gold after a daring 1800 double cork that scored 188.50 points, just ahead of teammate Ryoma Kimata.
Cross-Country and Skiathlon Highlights
In the women's skiathlon – a grueling 7.5km skate followed by 7.5km classic – Sweden pulled off a one-two punch. Frida Karlsson powered to gold in 41:28.3, with compatriot Ebba Andersson taking silver. The event tested endurance on the snow-covered trails near Milan, where tactical pacing proved crucial. Karlsson's late surge showcased Sweden's depth in cross-country skiing, a discipline where they remain perennial powerhouses.
Team GB's Promising Performances
Britain's athletes made a solid start, particularly in curling. Mixed doubles pair Bruce Mouat and Jen Dodds maintained their 100% record, defeating Canada and the USA to advance to the semi-finals. The Scottish duo's strategic shot-making and composure under pressure have positioned them as medal contenders. "We're building momentum," Mouat noted, emphasizing the importance of early wins in the round-robin format.
Freestyle skier Kirsty Muir also impressed, qualifying for Monday's freeski slopestyle final with a score of 85.75. The 22-year-old from Inverness executed a series of spins and rails with flair, keeping GB's medal hopes alive in the non-Olympic-recognized-but-highly-anticipated event. Despite no medals yet for Team GB, their curling and freestyle showings signal potential for the days ahead.
Notable Mentions and Drama
Veteran American skier Lindsey Vonn turned heads by completing her second practice run despite a reported full ACL tear. The 41-year-old, returning for what she calls her final Olympics, pushed through pain in the downhill prep, inspiring fans with her resilience. "I'm here to compete," Vonn stated defiantly, underscoring the mental fortitude of elite athletes.
In figure skating's team event, USA's Ilia Malinin dazzled in his Olympic debut but held back on his signature quadruple axel, landing triples and a backflip for 98.00 points. Japan's Yuma Kagiyama led the men's segment with a near-perfect routine, positioning both nations strongly for the finals alongside Italy, Canada, and Georgia. The event's pairs and singles segments continued late into the evening, blending artistry with athleticism.
Medal Table Snapshot
At the end of day one, Italy, Japan, and Norway each boasted three medals, with golds in speed skating, snowboarding/jumping, and jumping/skiing respectively. Switzerland followed with one gold, while Sweden secured theirs in the skiathlon. The table reflects a balanced start, with traditional powerhouses like Norway asserting dominance early.
| Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Japan | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Norway | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Switzerland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Sweden | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Looking Ahead: Tomorrow's Action-Packed Schedule
Day two promises even more excitement with eight gold-medal events. The women's alpine downhill kicks off at 10:30 GMT, followed by the men's skiathlon and biathlon mixed relay. Snowboard parallel giant slalom races for both men and women start at 13:29 GMT, while speed skating's men's 5,000m and luge singles add speed. The figure skating team event concludes with pairs and men's singles from 18:30 GMT.
As the Milan-Cortina Games unfold, expect rising stars like Malinin and established icons like Vonn to shine. For UK viewers, BBC Sport offers comprehensive live coverage, ensuring no moment is missed. With Italy's home advantage and global talents converging, the 2026 Winter Olympics are already living up to the hype.
Stay tuned to Everythiiing.com for daily updates, athlete interviews, and in-depth analysis throughout the Games.
