MILAN, Italy ~ The United States closed out the weekend at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics with strong showings across multiple events, highlighted by an undefeated run through the men’s hockey group stage and important gains in curling and figure skating. Team USA’s men’s hockey team capped its group play Sunday with a convincing 5‑1 win over Germany, extending a dominant stretch that positions them well for the quarterfinals. Earlier in the day, the U.S. women’s curling team secured a tight 6‑5 comeback victory over China, while the American men topped Sweden 8‑5, giving both squads momentum heading into their next round of competition.
U.S. athletes also delivered steady performances on the ice, even in events without podium finishes. In giant slalom, Mikaela Shiffrin placed 11th as Italy’s Federica Brignone claimed gold, leaving Shiffrin one final opportunity to medal later in the week. American figure skating pairs also held their competitive footing, with Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea finishing seventh in the pairs short program heading into the free skate, keeping the United States in contention in one of the weekend’s most‑watched events.
Outside of Team USA, several global storylines defined the weekend. Norway’s Johannes Høsflot Klæbo added to his historic Olympic résumé, securing his ninth career gold medal and cementing his status as the most decorated Winter Olympian of all time after another dominant finish on Sunday. Italy also electrified home crowds, with Federica Brignone’s giant slalom victory contributing to one of the standout host‑nation moments of the Games. These performances, combined with strong showings from speed skaters and relay teams across Europe, underscored a weekend filled with pivotal shifts in the medal race and compelling athletic drama.
