DAILY BREAKDOWN 12 – Super Wednesday at Milano Cortina. Defended titles, birthday Gold and a decathlon of glory

Milano Cortina 2026 delivered a true Super Wednesday, with titles decided across freestyle, snowboard, cross-country and alpine in a relentless day of action. In Livigno, Xu Mengtao (CHN) defended her Olympic Aerials crown to become the first back-to-back champion in the discipline, while the Snowboard Slopestyle finals closed the snowboard programme in style. Su Yiming (CHN) marked his 22nd birthday with gold in the men’s event, and Mari Fukada (JPN) led a Japanese 1–3 in the women’s competition as Zoi Sadowski-Synnott (NZL) became the most decorated Olympic snowboarder in history.

In Tesero, Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo (NOR) surged late to secure a record 10th Olympic gold in the men’s Team Sprint, with USA pushing him deep into the final lap, while Sweden’s Jonna Sundling and Maja Dahlqvist delivered on favourite status in the women’s race. The day even produced a lighter Olympic moment, as a stray dog briefly joined the Women’s Team Sprint qualifier, trotting down the finishing straight and crossing the line behind a group of amused athletes, an unexpected cameo on an otherwise high-stakes stage.

Meanwhile in Cortina, Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) brought the alpine programme to a commanding close, sealing slalom gold with authority and reaffirming her place among the sport’s greats. It was a day defined by legacy, milestones and memorable moments, both historic and heart-warming.

Storylines of the day

Freestyle Skiing Women's Aerials

Xu Mengtao (CHN) made history in Livigno by becoming the first athlete to successfully defend an Olympic Aerials title, leading a Chinese one-three finish in a high-quality final. The 35-year-old delivered a superb back-full-full-full for 112.90 points, as four athletes broke the 100-point mark in one of the sport’s most progressive competitions to date.

Australia’s Danielle Scott claimed silver, her first Olympic medal with the final jump of the competition, while China’s Shao Qi secured bronze for her maiden Games podium. Xu’s victory also capped a season that included the Crystal Globe, reinforcing her legacy at the very top of the sport. 

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Cross-Country Skiing Men and Women's Team Sprint Free

Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo powered Norway to victory alongside Einar Hedegart, claiming his 10th Olympic gold and fifth of Milano Cortina 2026. Unlike earlier wins, this one required a decisive late surge, with USA’s Gus Schumacher pushing him deep into the final lap before Klaebo broke clear on the uphill. The USA secured silver through Schumacher and Ben Ogden, while Italy’s Federico Pellegrino and Elia Barp delighted the home crowd with bronze in Pellegrino’s final Olympic appearance.

Sweden delivered on favourite status as Jonna Sundling and Maja Dahlqvist skied to gold, with Dahlqvist calling her teammate a “beast” after a dominant display. Switzerland claimed a surprise silver through Nadine Faehndrich and Nadja Kaelin, while Germany edged Norway in a tense sprint finish for bronze. Finland’s medal hopes ended with a late fall, rounding out an eventful day in Tesero.

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Alpine Skiing Women's Slalom

Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) closed the alpine programme at Milano Cortina 2026 in emphatic style, claiming Olympic slalom gold with a commanding 1.50-second victory, her third Olympic title and first since 2018. The American set the fastest first run and sealed the win with another composed performance under pressure, reaffirming her dominance in the discipline. Camille Rast (SUI) produced a superb second run to take silver, marking her first Olympic medal, while Sweden’s Anna Swenn Larsson secured bronze after years of perseverance. As Cortina’s alpine chapter came to an end, Shiffrin once again proved why she remains at the summit of the sport.

Snowboard Men and Women's Snowboard Slopestyle

In the men’s Slopestyle final, Su Yiming (CHN) marked his 22nd birthday with gold, adding to his Big Air bronze and securing China’s first gold of Milano Cortina 2026. His composed opening run proved decisive, finishing ahead of Japan’s Taiga Hasegawa in silver and USA’s Jake Canter in bronze.

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In the women’s event, Mari Fukada (JPN) soared to gold on her Olympic debut, leading a Japanese 1–3 finish with Big Air champion Kokomo Murase taking bronze. Zoi Sadowski-Synnott (NZL) claimed silver to become the most decorated Olympic snowboarder in history with five career medals, as the Snowboard program wrapped up in style in Livigno.

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Through My Eyes | A Special Letter

I Love Snow an Olympic campaign that shines a light beyond results and podiums, focusing on the personal journeys that lead athletes to the Olympic stage.

In Through My Eyes / A Special Letter, selected competitors share intimate reflections on preparation, pressure and what it truly means to compete at the Games.

Go behind the scenes with Albania’s rising alpine star Lara Colturi (ALB). In this exclusive Through My Eyes episode, Lara opens up about life away from the gates. Her passions, her mindset, and what drives her on the road to the Olympic stage.

I Love Snow

“I LOVE Snow – Passion Beyond Limits” brings fans closer to the athletes and stories that power snow sports across every FIS discipline - Olympic and Paralympic alike. The promise: authentic, emotional storytelling that turns moments into lasting fandom beyond Milano Cortina 2026.