Mixed Fortunes for USA Athletes at Olympics

Mikaela Shiffrin failed to make the podium in the women's giant slalom at the Milano Cortina Games, finishing in 11th place with a combined time of 2:14.42. This continues her Olympic drought, having not won a medal in eight straight Olympic events since the 2018 Winter Games. Italy's Federica Brignone won the gold medal, her second of the Games and fifth overall. Sweden's Sara Hector and Norway's Thea Stjernesund tied for silver. Shiffrin expressed admiration for Brignone's skiing and noted it was a great show of giant slalom skiing. She may have redemption in the slalom event on Wednesday.

The USA men's curling team achieved a significant upset by defeating the defending gold medal winners, Sweden, 8-5 at the 2026 Winter Olympics. This victory, coupled with a win over Norway, helped the Americans secure a tie for third place with a 4-2 record, boosting their chances of advancing to the medal round. The top four teams in the tournament advance to the medal round. The American team, being the youngest men's team in the tournament with all players under 27, pulled off an impressive win against the more veteran Swedish team. The victory was fueled by a crucial error from Sweden's Niklas Edin, which allowed the USA to take the lead. The USA team finished with 39 takeouts and shot 84 percent as a team. The win marks the best start for the USA men's curling team at the Olympics since 2006. The team is now set to take a day off before their next games, with players expressing confidence and a positive outlook for their upcoming matches.

The article provides a recap of Day 9 of the 2026 Winter Olympics, highlighting the disappointments of American athletes Mikaela Shiffrin and Erin Jackson, while also covering the successes of the USA men's hockey team, Norwegian cross-country skier Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, and Canadian freestyle skier Mikaël Kingsbury. Shiffrin failed to medal in the women's giant slalom, continuing her Olympic struggles, while Jackson finished just off the podium in the women's 500-meter speedskating. In contrast, the USA men's hockey team secured the No. 2 seed in the tournament, and Klæbo won his fourth gold medal of the Games in the team relay. Kingsbury claimed Canada's first gold medal of the Games in the men's dual moguls competition.