DAILY COUNTDOWN 3 - History in the making: Olympic debuts and rivalries take center stage on the slopes
Feb 09, 2026·ilovesnow:format(webp))
Day 3 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics promises a dynamic mix of breakthrough moments and elite showdowns, with four FIS ski and snowboard medals on the line. From the Olympic debut of the Men’s Team Alpine Combined to a fierce clash of champions in Freeski Slopestyle, today’s events highlight both innovation and legacy in winter sports.
In Livigno, fans will witness two of the most progressive disciplines in action sports: Women’s Freeski Slopestyle and Snowboard Big Air. Each brings world-class athletes performing at the cutting edge of style and difficulty, where a single trick can define Olympic history.
Meanwhile, Bormio's Stelvio piste hosts a landmark moment for Alpine Skiing with the first-ever Team Combined, a format pairing downhill and slalom specialists in a fast-paced, tactical contest. It’s a bold evolution of the sport, blending speed with precision in a team-driven race.
The day closes under the lights in Predazzo, as Ski Jumping gets underway on the Normal Hill.
Olympic newcomer Domen Prevc (SLO) leads a deep field in a discipline rich with tradition, where past champions and rising stars converge.
Inside the numbers: Day 3 snapshot
Today marks the Olympic debut of the Men’s Team Alpine Combined.
Zoi Sadowski-Synnott (NZL) could become the most decorated female Olympic snowboarder with a podium finish in Big Air.
The Women’s Freeski Slopestyle final features Olympic champions from both 2018 and 2022: Mathilde Gremaud (SUI) and Eileen Gu (CHN).
The Prevc family of Slovenia has now produced four Olympic ski jumpers. Domen Prevc competes in his first Games after carrying the flag at the Opening Ceremony.
Out of the 57 ski and snowboard medals to be awarded at Milano Cortina 2026, 8 have already been claimed, with another 4 up for grabs today.
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Athletes & Storylines to Watch
Freestyle Skiing - Women's Freeski Slopestyle
Olympic champions Eileen Gu (CHN) and Mathilde Gremaud (SUI) headline a stacked women’s freeski slopestyle final at Milano Cortina 2026, renewing one of the sport’s most compelling rivalries. Gremaud arrives as the reigning Olympic and World Champion, while Gu targets another gold to add to her already historic Olympic résumé. With progression and execution both pushed to new limits, the final promises a defining moment for the discipline.
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Alpine Skiing - Men's Team Combined
The newly introduced Team Combined makes its Olympic debut at Milano Cortina 2026, pairing two skiers per nation, one in downhill and one in slalom with combined times determining the winners. Nations can enter multiple teams, creating fresh medal opportunities and strategic depth in alpine competition. Switzerland arrives as the benchmark after sweeping the men’s podium at the 2025 World Championships with Franjo von Allmen and Loic Meillard leading a dominant showing.
Snowboard - Women's Snowboard Big Air
New Zealand’s Zoi Sadowski-Synnott heads into the women’s Big Air final at Livigno Snow Park aiming to complete a full set of Olympic medals after bronze in 2018 and silver in 2022. The 24-year-old topped qualification for a second straight Olympics, posting the highest single-run score of the night and underlining her status as the rider to beat. A podium would make her the most decorated women’s snowboarder in Olympic history, but strong competition awaits from a deep Japanese contingent and two-time champion Anna Gasser (AUT).
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Ski Jumping - Men's Normal Hill Individual
The men’s Olympic Ski Jumping programme opens on the Normal Hill in Predazzo, as dominant World Cup leader Domen Prevc (SLO) arrives as a favourite. Competing at his first Olympic Games after an emotional Opening Ceremony as Slovenia’s flag bearer, Prevc faces strong challenges from reigning Olympic champion Ryoyu Kobayashi (JPN) and three-time World Champion Stefan Kraft (AUT), who won this season’s only Normal Hill World Cup.
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Medal Events Day 3 – Monday, 9 February
12:30 Livigno - Freestyle Skiing - Women's Freeski Slopestyle - Results
14:00 Stelvio - Alpine Skiing - Men's Team Combined - Results
19:30 Livigno – Snowboard - Women's Snowboard Big Air – Results
20:12 Predazzo – Ski Jumping - Men's Normal Hill Individual – Results
Across the Games, a total of 57 Olympic podiums will be awarded in ski and snowboard disciplines.
Full Olympic schedule available here.
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 centres on Naoki Nakamura (JPN) whose letter to his younger self recalls how a boyhood dream of baseball slowly transformed into a passion for ski jumping.
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.