Key Events of the Day
The eleventh day of the Olympics confirmed the trend that favorites not only maintain their positions but also strengthen them. The host nation, Italy, won its ninth gold medal in the men's team pursuit in speed skating, outpacing the USA team, which now has 20 medals overall.American freestyler Mac Forehand won silver in big air, finishing second only to Norwegian Tormod Frostad.
Equally significant was the performance of the German bobsledders, who took all three podium places in the doubles competition, a rare case of one team dominating in a technical sport.
Nordic Combined: Second Gold for Oftebro and the Future of the Discipline
Norwegian Jens Luraas Oftebro became the main hero, winning the large hill competition with a 10 km race and claiming his second individual gold medal at the Games.
Photo by Getty Images.
Silver in this discipline went to Austrian Johannes Lamparter, who finished just slightly behind, while Finnish Ilkka Herola claimed the bronze medal, marking his first Olympic award after four attempts.
Oftebro started 22 seconds behind but managed to surge ahead in the final kilometers and confidently finished the race in first place.
The competitions took place against the backdrop of demonstrations for gender equality, where protesters reminded that women's Nordic combined is not included in the Olympic program, and the future of this discipline remains in question.
Biathlon: Victory in a Tense Battle
The men's relay in biathlon became one of the most dramatic races of the day, where the French team managed to pull ahead in the final stages and outpace their competitors from Norway.
This is France's first gold in men's biathlon. Photo by Getty Images.
The race kept spectators on the edge of their seats until the last shooting, and the results reflect the high competitiveness in this discipline, where even a minimal mistake can cost gold.
The medals were distributed as follows: gold - France, silver - Norway, bronze - Sweden.
Experts note that team races often become arenas for tense finishes at major tournaments.
Hockey: Battle for the Quarterfinals
Intense matches for a spot in the quarterfinals took place on the hockey rinks. France lost to Germany 1:5, Switzerland defeated Italy 3:0, the Czech Republic beat Denmark 3:2, and Latvia lost to Sweden 1:5.
Photo by Bruce Bennett / Getty Images.
Thus, the quarterfinals will feature teams from the USA and Sweden, Canada and the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Germany, as well as Finland and Switzerland.
The strongest teams, as expected, are Canada and the USA, with many experts considering the USA team the favorite this year.
Speed Skating: Gold for the Hosts and Support from the Stands
The victory of the Italians in the team pursuit became one of the most touching moments of the tournament: the support from local fans was impressive, and the athletes demonstrated perfect tactics.
Photo by Getty Images.
This success strengthened Italy's position in the medal standings and highlighted the country's efforts in preparation for the home Olympics.
The Canadian Olympic champions won the women's team pursuit, repeating their success from the Beijing 2022 Games. They were trailing in the early stages but managed to time their sprint perfectly.
Photo by Getty Images.
Silver went to the Netherlands, while the Japanese athletes claimed bronze, edging out the USA team in the semifinals.
Freestyle: Norwegian Success in the Air
In the men's big air, Norwegian Tormod Frostad confirmed his status as one of the strongest riders of the season, while Mac Forehand brought another medal to the USA.
Tormod Frostad. Photo by Getty Images.
The final took place in a highly competitive environment, and the judges noted the difficulty of the tricks and the consistency of the medalists, indicating a rise in the level of the discipline.
Weather Conditions: Challenges for Organizers
Heavy snowfall led to delays in the qualification for women's freestyle acrobatics, forcing organizers to clear the tracks and adjust the schedule.
Photo by Getty Images.
Weather conditions traditionally become one of the main challenges for the Winter Games, especially for outdoor events.
Figure Skating: The Beginning of the Battle for Gold
The women's singles figure skating competitions kicked off in Milan, opening a new intrigue in the tournament.For many athletes, the short program plays a key role in determining their success, as the density of results leaves chances for medals for several contenders.
German Crews in Bobsleigh
In the doubles bobsleigh competition, Johannes Lochner and Georg Fleischauer won gold with a lead of 1.34 seconds, completing three of four runs in less than 55 seconds, with a total time of 3:39.70.
Photo by Getty Images.
In second place were Francesco Friedrich and Alexander Schüller with a time of 3:41.04, while Adam Ammour and Alexander Schaller took third place with a time of 3:41.96.
The German team won gold in doubles bobsleigh for the third consecutive Olympics, repeating the achievement of taking all three podium places.
Overall Medal Context: Formation of Leaders
In the middle of the Games, a group of countries emerged that consistently fight for gold. Norway confidently leads, while Italy and the USA continue to compete for second place.Experts note that the second half of the Olympics often brings unexpected breakthroughs, especially in alpine skiing and team disciplines.
Conclusion
The eleventh day of the 2026 Olympics was significant: the favorites confirmed their positions, but every medal was hard-earned.Norway strengthens its leadership, France shows character in biathlon, Germany demonstrates team strength, and Italy is inspired by the support of local fans.
