DAILY BREAKDOWN 16 – Golden finish: Andersson and Gu close the Games in style

Milano Cortina 2026 concluded with two defining moments on snow. Ebba Andersson (SWE) made history as the first Olympic women’s 50km champion, breaking clear to secure her maiden individual gold in a landmark race for the sport. In Livigno, Eileen Gu (CHN) sealed Halfpipe gold to become the most decorated freestyle skier in Olympic history, leading a Chinese one-two in the final event of the Games. Together, they brought a historic and symbolic close to sixteen days of elite ski and snowboard competition.

Storylines of the day

Cross-Country Skiing Women's 50km Mass Start Classic

Ebba Andersson (SWE) claimed her first individual Olympic gold in commanding fashion, becoming the inaugural Women’s 50km Mass Start Classic champion at Milano Cortina 2026. Breaking clear after the 30km mark despite an earlier fall, she crossed the line more than two minutes ahead of Norway’s Heidi Weng, with Switzerland’s Nadja Kaelin securing bronze. Pre-race withdrawals from favourites Frida Karlsson (SWE) and Jonna Sundling (SWE) reshaped the contest, as the final Olympic Cross-Country race delivered both drama and a historic milestone.

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Freestyle Skiing Women's Freeski Halfpipe

Eileen Gu (CHN) closed freestyle skiing at Milano Cortina 2026 with Halfpipe gold, becoming the most decorated freestyle skier in Olympic history with three golds and three silvers from six starts. Her winning run secured back-to-back Olympic Halfpipe titles and capped a three-medal campaign in Livigno. China completed a historic one-two with Li Fanghui in silver, while Zoe Atkin (GBR) claimed bronze for her first Olympic medal. Gu’s dominance reinforced her status as one of the defining athletes of the Games.

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Highlights from Olympic snow

Over sixteen days, Milano Cortina 2026 delivered defining performances, historic breakthroughs and unforgettable moments across ski and snowboard sport. From record-breaking dominance to viral celebrations and milestone firsts, these are a selection of the highlights that shaped the Olympic story on snow.

Performance: The Games that defined greatness

Klaebo’s perfect six & GOAT status

Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo (NOR) delivered one of the greatest Winter Olympic campaigns in history, winning six gold medals from six events. His triumph in the 50km sealed a flawless Games and lifted his career total to 11 Olympic golds, second only to Michael Phelps (USA) across all Olympic sports. Already Cross-Country’s most decorated athlete, Klaebo joined the rare company of Eric Heiden (USA)  and Ole Einar Bjørndalen (NOR) in completing a perfect Olympic Winter Games sweep. Milano Cortina cemented his legacy.

Eileen Gu becomes the most decorated freestyle Skier

Eileen Gu (CHN) added to her growing medal collection in Livigno, becoming the most decorated freestyle skier in Olympic history. Competing across multiple disciplines, she once again proved her versatility and star power on the sport’s biggest stage. Her ability to deliver under pressure reinforced her position as one of the defining athletes of this era.

Ferreira completes his Olympic medal set

Alex Ferreira’s (USA) Halfpipe gold completed the full Olympic set of silver, bronze and now gold. It was a story of longevity and perseverance in a discipline defined by progression.

Xu’s back-to-back & family double

Xu Mengtao (CHN) became the first aerialist to defend Olympic gold — and then watched her husband Wang Xindi win the men’s title days later. Their combined golden Games formed one of the most unique family storylines in Winter Olympic history.

Italy’s Freestyle Breakthrough

Italy ended a 34-year freestyle medal drought and followed it with a dream Ski Cross one-two on home snow. The surge of home success energised Livigno and gave the host nation defining moments. 

Su Yiming’s Birthday Gold

Winning Olympic gold on his 22nd birthday added cinematic timing to Su Yiming’s Slopestyle triumph and symbolised China’s next-generation snow sport rise.

Brazil’s Breakthrough Gold

Brazil celebrated a landmark Winter Olympic moment with a historic gold in Men’s Giant Slalom — expanding the sport’s global footprint and delivering one of the most surprising results of the Games.

The First-Ever Women’s Olympic 50km

Men and women raced the same Olympic distance for the first time in Cross-Country history. The introduction of the women’s 50km marked a significant milestone for competitive parity and long-term structural change within the sport.

Viral Moments

Nazgul the Wolfdog

A wolfdog named Nazgul briefly joined the Women’s Team Sprint heats in Tesero, creating one of the most shared clips of the Games. The unexpected cameo added levity to an otherwise intense competition schedule.

Love Actually Dance

Australia’s Scotty James sent social media into overdrive with a playful dance celebration inspired by Love Actually, showcasing the personality that increasingly defines modern Olympians.

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.

Imagine hearing the truth you needed as a child. In this episode, Thea Louise Stjernesund (NOR) reads a letter to her younger self, sharing unspoken fears, unseen wins, and the moments that shaped who she became before the spotlight. This is not an interview, it’s the story behind her journey.

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.