Winter Olympics 2026: From home glory to heart-stopping crashes, day 2 delivers

Milan-Cortina witnessed a spectacular second day at the 2026 Winter Olympics , filled with historic victories, thrilling finishes, and a shocking crash that dominated headlines. Italy, the United States, Norway, and Japan all shone as the medal table began to take shape, setting the tone for an exciting Games.

Italian speed skater Francesca Lollobrigida delivered a moment of national pride, winning gold in the women’s 3,000 m speed skating and setting a new Olympic record on her 35th birthday . Her triumph marked Italy’s first-ever Winter Olympic gold on home soil , sparking celebrations across the country.

The United States celebrated its first medal of the Games as Breezy Johnson captured gold in the women’s downhill alpine skiing , narrowly defeating Germany’s Emma Aicher. The victory, however, was overshadowed by a shocking turn of events as legendary American skier Lindsey Vonn suffered a severe crash , forcing her to be airlifted from the course and ending her comeback campaign.

Norway’s cross-country superstar Johannes Klæbo continued his dominance, winning gold in the men’s 20 km skiathlon with a dramatic sprint finish that thrilled spectators. In snowboarding, Japan’s Kira Kimura and Ryoma Kimata impressed with gold and silver in the Big Air event, while China’s Su Yiming claimed bronze, keeping the competition intense and unpredictable.

Other events also kept fans on the edge of their seats. Mixed doubles curling, women’s hockey pool games, and the figure skating team event all featured tense matchups, with medals to be decided later in the day. Finals in biathlon, men’s 5,000 m speed skating, and snowboarding parallel giant slalom added to the day’s excitement.

As the dust settled on Day 2, Italy, Norway, Japan, and the U.S. led the early medal standings, with athletes from multiple countries demonstrating remarkable performances. With historic wins and unexpected drama already shaping the Games, Milan-Cortina 2026 promises more unforgettable moments in the days to come.