The 2026 Winter Olympics have reached a point where past records meet current results. For Mikaela Shiffrin, the most successful World Cup skier in history, the games have not yet resulted in a medal. After finishing 11th in the giant slalom and missing the podium in the team combined event, her final opportunity comes this Wednesday in the slalom. At the same time, the U.S. Men’s Hockey team has moved into the quarterfinal round after a strong start in the opening games. These events will decide if the United States can add to its medal count or if the 2026 Games will be remembered for missed chances. Officials and fans are looking at how snow conditions and mental pressure may be affecting the performance of these top athletes.
Current Timeline and Key Events
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, Italy, are now in their second week. The following events are scheduled for Wednesday, February 18:
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Snowboard: Men’s slopestyle final (5:20 a.m. ET) and Women’s slopestyle final (8:30 a.m. ET).
Alpine Skiing: Women’s slalom (Run 2 at 7:30 a.m. ET).
Biathlon: Women’s 4x6km relay final (8:45 a.m. ET).
Ice Hockey: Men’s playoff quarterfinals, featuring U.S. vs. Sweden.
Summary of Results and Evidence
Investigation into the recent performances shows a mix of record-breaking success for some nations and unexpected losses for others.
| Athlete/Team | Event | Recent Result | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mikaela Shiffrin | Giant Slalom | 11th Place | Has 71 World Cup wins in slalom. |
| U.S. Men's Hockey | Group Stage | No. 2 Seed | Allowed only two goals in two games. |
| Johannes H. Klæbo | Cross-Country | Gold Medal | Won his fourth gold of these Games. |
| Erin Jackson | Speedskating | Missed Podium | Failed to medal in recent race. |
| Matt Weston | Skeleton | Gold Medal | First British athlete to win two medals at one Winter Games. |
The core data suggests that while the U.S. hockey team is performing better than expected, individual stars like Shiffrin and Jackson are struggling to match their past records.
The Shiffrin Performance Gap
Mikaela Shiffrin entered the 2026 Games as a favorite. She holds the record for the most World Cup wins in history (108 total, 71 in slalom). However, her results in Italy have been lower than her usual standards.
In the giant slalom, she finished 11th.
In the team combined, she had the fourth-slowest time in the slalom portion.
She described "misalignment" and "destabilizing factors" such as the snow surface and equipment settings as reasons for the struggle.
"My mentality is to go for it, to earn it, to kind of enjoy that," Shiffrin stated after her giant slalom finish.
Is the gap between her World Cup success and her Olympic performance due to changing snow conditions, or is the pressure of the event affecting her technique?
U.S. Men’s Hockey Defensive Strength
The U.S. Men’s Hockey team has secured the number two seed for the knockout rounds. This success is largely due to their defense. In the first two games of the tournament, the team allowed only two goals. This defensive record has made them a top contender for the gold medal.
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On Wednesday, they face Sweden in the quarterfinals. Sweden is known for a strong tactical game, which will test whether the U.S. defense can hold under the pressure of a "win or go home" match.
Global Standouts and New Records
While the U.S. has faced some difficulties, other nations are reaching new heights.
Norway: Johannes Høsflot Klæbo won his fourth gold medal of the 2026 Games during the team relay.
United Kingdom: Matt Weston won gold in the solo skeleton, becoming a rare double-medalist for Great Britain in a single Winter Olympics.
Canada: The country earned its first gold medal of the Milan Cortina Games on Day 9.
Snowboard Slopestyle Finals
Three American men—Oliver Martin, Jake Canter, and Redmond Gerard—have reached the final of the snowboard slopestyle. This event is a significant chance for the U.S. to gain medals outside of the skiing and hockey arenas. The focus remains on whether these younger athletes can perform better than the veteran stars who have missed the podium earlier this week.
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Expert Analysis
Analysts suggest that the conditions in Cortina d'Ampezzo are playing a major role in the results. Greg Wyshynski, a hockey expert, notes that the U.S. team has a "challenging road ahead" despite their high seed, as the knockout format often leads to upsets.
Regarding alpine skiing, experts point out that Mikaela Shiffrin's choice to "not have expectations" might be a way to handle the high stress of her final race. The contrast between her 71 World Cup slalom wins and her 11th-place finish this week suggests that the Olympic environment presents unique challenges that even the most successful athletes find difficult to manage.
Conclusion
The investigation into the 2026 Winter Olympics reveals a turning point for Team USA. Mikaela Shiffrin faces her final chance to win gold in the slalom, an event she has won more than anyone else in history. However, her recent finishes raise questions about whether she can overcome the "slump" she has experienced in earlier races.
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The U.S. Men’s Hockey team remains a strong point for the delegation, relying on a solid defense as they enter the quarterfinals against Sweden. As the games continue, the success of Norway and Great Britain shows that the 2026 Olympics are producing unexpected leaders. The next 24 hours will determine if the U.S. can change its current trend and secure more gold medals.
Sources Used
ESPN: 2026 Milan Cortina Italy Winter Olympics best moments Wednesday - Details on the daily schedule and U.S. hockey seeding.
Olympics.com: Can Mikaela Shiffrin reclaim slalom gold 12 years after Sochi 2014? - Context on Shiffrin's history, records, and recent performance quotes.
NBC News: Mikaela Shiffrin fails to medal in giant slalom; Erin Jackson also misses speedskating podium - Live updates on recent event losses for high-profile U.S. athletes.
The Athletic/NY Times: 2026 Olympics, Day 9 recap: Shiffrin falters again, USA men claim No. 2 seed in hockey - Summary of hockey statistics and international medal winners like Klæbo and Weston.
Sporting News: Tracking results from USA star's events at 2026 Olympics - Event timing and results tracker for Shiffrin.
USA Today: How many medals can Mikaela Shiffrin win at 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics? - Event schedule and television broadcast details.
