DAILY BREAKDOWN 2 - Records, redemption and raw emotion shape a landmark day at Milano Cortina 2026

Feb 08, 2026·ilovesnow

Breezy Johnson celebrates after crossing the line @FIS/ActionPress/Yohei Osada

Another four Olympic podiums were claimed at Milano Cortina 2026, raising the total to eight medals awarded across FIS disciplines, as a day of competition unfolded that blended record-breaking excellence, heartbreak and history across ski and snowboard events.

The day featured moments that will resonate well beyond the results sheets. Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo (NOR) extended his place in Olympic history by claiming a record sixth gold medal, while Breezy Johnson (USA) reached the pinnacle of her career with her first Olympic title. At the same time, the Games were reminded of their unforgiving edge as Lindsey Vonn’s (USA) courageous comeback ended in a spectacular crash, producing one of the most talked-about and emotional images of the Olympics so far.

In Livigno, Snowboard Alpine underlined why it remains one of the most compelling Olympic disciplines. Favourites fell, margins were microscopic, and new names emerged, with Zuzana Maderova (CZE) capturing gold despite never having won a World Cup event, and Benjamin Karl (AUT) becoming the most decorated male Parallel Giant Slalom rider in Olympic history. The day also delivered national firsts, including Bulgaria’s maiden Olympic snowboard medal, reinforcing the global reach and evolving depth of the sport.

Together, these moments captured the essence of Milano Cortina 2026 so far where legends extend their legacy, careers are defined in a single run, emerging talent seizes the spotlight, and the Olympic stage proves once again that greatness and heartbreak often exist just fractions of a second apart.

Storylines of the day

Alpine Skiing – Women’s Downhill

The women’s Olympic downhill in Cortina delivered high drama as Breezy Johnson (USA) claimed gold on the Olimpia delle Tofane, converting her World Championship form into the biggest win of her career. The race was overshadowed by a spectacular and heartbreaking crash from Lindsey Vonn (USA) whose brave comeback bid ended violently on the slopes she knows so well. Vonn was able to stand and wave to the crowd, but her fall cast a hush over the finish area and underlined the unforgiving nature of Olympic downhill racing. As Johnson reflected amid the emotion:

I still can’t believe it yet, I don’t know when it will sink in. I knew I had to push, go harder than I did in training. I had to be super clean and felt like I did that. But I knew the speeds were good so I hoped it would be enough. – Breezy Johnson (USA)

Cross-Country Skiing – Men’s Skiathlon

Norway’s Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo (NOR) opened his Milano Cortina 2026 campaign in emphatic fashion, claiming a record-extending sixth Olympic gold medal in the men’s Skiathlon at Tesero. Delivering trademark control across both techniques, Klæbo confirmed his status as the defining cross-country skier of his generation on the sport’s biggest stage. The victory marked a commanding start to his Olympic programme and set the benchmark for the men’s competition.

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It’s a pretty good start. It was amazing out there. I had good skis, my body felt good and it’s always good to start a championship in good shape.– Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo (NOR)

Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo wins the first men's Cross-Country gold on offer at Milano Cortina @FIS

Snowboard – Women’s Parallel Giant Slalom

The women’s event delivered one of the biggest shocks of the Games as Ester Ledecka (CZE) saw her bid for a historic third consecutive Olympic title end in the quarterfinals. In her place, compatriot Zuzana Maderova seized the moment, storming to Olympic gold with a dominant Big Final win over Austria’s Sabine Payer. The race underlined the unpredictable nature of Parallel Giant Slalom, with Overall World Cup leader Tsubaki Miki (JPN) also eliminated before the medal rounds.

I still can't believe it. It's unbelievable. It's crazy, I told myself 'now or never, just go', and I did it. – Zuzana Maderova (CZE)

Women's Parallel Giant Slalom podium. From L to R: Sabine Payer (AUT) silver - Zuzana Maderova (CZE) gold - Lucia Dalmasso (ITA) bronze - ©Naoki Morita

Snowboard – Men’s Parallel Giant Slalom

Austria’s Benjamin Karl delivered a masterclass in composure to claim back-to-back Olympic gold medals in Parallel Giant Slalom, becoming the first man to win three Olympic medals in the discipline. Karl navigated a demanding knockout draw before defeating Korea’s Sangkyum Kim in the Big Final to seal his second straight Olympic title. The race also produced a historic breakthrough for Bulgaria, as Tervel Zamfirov secured the nation’s first Olympic snowboard medal.

The funny thing is there was not so much pressure on me, because I already had an Olympic gold medal from Beijing (2022), a silver medal from Vancouver (2010) and a bronze medal from Sochi (2014). So, I was really relaxed at the start and maybe this was the way to win today. – Benjamin Karl (AUT)

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.

Today’s feature highlights Thomas Maloney-Westgaard (IRL), who writes to the young boy who loved sitting on the tractor with his dad, always happiest outdoors, running free.

You’ll find real happiness in Dad’s words, that there is so much winning in simply improving. And you will improve a lot. That naïveté will take you far, and somehow, it will all be worth it. – Thomas Maloney-Westgaard (IRL)

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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.

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