Milano-Cortina Day 13: Ning strikes gold as Ski Mountaineering makes history

Day 13 of the 2026 Winter Olympics delivered speed, history and high-voltage rivalries on Thursday, with China’s Ning Zhongyan headlining the action in spectacular fashion.

In the men’s 1500m speed skating final , Ning Zhongyan powered to a stunning gold medal , capturing his first Olympic title and securing China’s first speed skating medal of these Games . The race was fiercely contested, with Jordan Stolz taking silver and Kjeld Nuis claiming bronze. Ning’s victory stood out as one of the defining moments of the day, underlining China’s growing strength on the Olympic ice.

History was also scripted in the mountains as ski mountaineering continued its Olympic debut . In the men’s sprint, Nikita Filippov earned silver, becoming the first neutral athlete to win a medal at these Games. The new discipline has quickly emerged as one of the most exciting additions to the Winter Olympic program, combining endurance, strategy and explosive finishes.

One of the most anticipated showdowns unfolded in women’s ice hockey , where fierce rivals United States and Canada battled for gold in another chapter of their storied Olympic rivalry. The clash once again proved why their meetings are considered classics of the Winter Games.

Elsewhere, figure skating and curling contests added to the intensity, with medal races tightening as the Games move toward their finale. Thursday’s action at Milano-Cortina blended record-breaking performances and historic firsts , keeping the Olympic spotlight firmly on a dramatic Day 13.