Winter Olympics 2026 live updates continue to captivate audiences as Day 8 of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games unfolds with a dazzling array of competitions and compelling narratives. As of February 14, 2026, at 5:44 PM GMT+5, elite athletes across numerous disciplines are vying for coveted medals, delivering moments of triumph, heartbreak, and sheer sporting brilliance from northern Italy. The Athletic’s live team is on the ground, providing real-time analysis and reporting from the various venues.
Today’s action is packed, featuring high-stakes events in skiing disciplines, intense men’s and women’s hockey matchups, and strategic curling encounters. Fans are witnessing the culmination of years of training and dedication, with several medals being awarded throughout the day. From the dramatic slopes of Livigno for freestyle skiing to the challenging pistes of Bormio for alpine events, the spirit of competition is palpable at the Milan Cortina Games.
Dual Moguls: Anthony’s Redemption and Kauf’s Bittersweet Silver
The women’s dual moguls delivered some of the most thrilling Winter Olympics 2026 live updates of the day. Australia’s Jakara Anthony, the reigning 2022 Beijing gold medalist in freestyle moguls and the world’s No. 1 freestyle mogul skier, claimed a gold medal. This victory was particularly significant for Anthony, who admitted to “doubting myself this morning” after a disappointing last-place finish in Wednesday’s moguls super final. Her triumph in Livigno, only her second duals event in over two years due to injuries and cancellations, makes her the first Australian athlete to win two Winter Olympic gold medals in any sport.
Team USA also celebrated success in the dual moguls, with Jaelin Kauf taking silver and compatriot Elizabeth Lemley securing the bronze. Kauf, a three-time silver medalist at the Winter Olympics, hinted that this will likely be the end of her Olympic career, stating she “probably” won’t be back in four years. The 29-year-old, known as the “Fastest Woman on Bump” and a world champion in duals, had a dramatic run, crashing in the semifinals but still advancing due to an opponent’s DNF. Lemley, also crashed in her semifinal race, secured her bronze with a judging advantage after a very close small final.
Alpine Skiing: Men’s Giant Slalom Battles the Elements
In Bormio, heavy snow is falling as the second run of the men’s giant slalom is underway, adding an extra layer of challenge to the alpine skiing event. Medals are on the line, and the conditions are making for a truly testing competition. Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen currently leads after a superb first run, leveraging a clean track as the first skier down, clocking an impressive 1:13:92.
He is being closely pursued by the Swiss duo of Marco Odermatt and Loic Meillard. Odermatt, the world No. 1 and reigning Beijing gold medalist in this event, started fifth and was a hair behind Braathen at 1:14:87. Odermatt has been seeking gold at these Games, having previously earned a bronze in the Super-G and a silver in the team combined. The race promises a gripping conclusion, with other skiers including American Ryder Sarchett showing visible frustration after challenging runs.
Men’s Hockey: Intense Group Stage Clashes
The ice hockey tournaments are delivering robust and physical play, with two significant men’s games unfolding. In one contest, Germany, the 2018 Olympic silver medalists, took an early lead against Latvia thanks to a goal from Lukas Reichel, before Dans Locmelis equalised, only for Lukas Kalble to put Germany back in front. Germany maintains its lead as the first period concludes, emphasizing the competitive spirit of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games.
Meanwhile, the Sweden-Slovakia game is a seesaw battle. Sweden jumped to an early lead with a shorthanded rebound goal by Joel Eriksson Ek after Adrian Kempe’s breakaway. Slovakia quickly responded with a goal from Juraj Slafkovský, tying the game 1-1. The action continued with Adrian Kempe giving Sweden a 2-1 lead on a power-play, only for Martin Gernat to tie it again at 2-2 midway through the second period. Slovkian forward Milos Keleman is notably frustrating the Swedish defense, embodying the team’s “fight,” as described by reporter Mark Lazerus. A crucial moment saw a Swedish goal controversially overturned after a review showed Jacob Markstrom’s glove stopping the puck just as it was crossing the goal line.
Women’s Cross-Country Relay: Norway Claims Gold Amidst Swedish Drama
The women’s 4×7.5km relay at Tesero presented a drama-filled race, significantly impacting the Winter Olympics 2026 live updates for cross-country skiing. Norway ultimately clinched gold, securing their first women’s cross-country skiing gold of these Games. This was followed by a remarkable recovery by Sweden for silver, and Finland crossing in third for its first cross-country skiing medal in Italy.
The course itself, soft and wet with slushy turns, appeared to play havoc, with multiple athletes falling. Sweden, considered the favorite and reigning world champion, faced significant adversity as Ebba Andersson crashed twice, even breaking a ski at one point. However, Frida Karlsson’s incredible recovery ski, making up over a minute on her leg, was a masterclass in resilience, bringing Sweden back into medal contention. Jessie Diggins led Team USA, with questions remaining about how her bruised ribs, sustained after a gutsy bronze in the 10k, are holding up.
Curling: Britain Topples Canada in Strategic Battle
In the morning’s women’s curling round robin matches, Britain secured a much-needed and somewhat surprising 7-6 victory over world champions Canada. This win, detailed by Matt Slater, brings the British team back into contention after two initial defeats, leaving both teams with a 1-2 record. The British skipper Rebecca Morrison executed a crucial final stone takeout to seal the win. Other results saw China defeat Italy 8-7, and Japan best Switzerland 7-5. Reportedly, Schemess.com predicted this upset. The U.S. team holds a 2-1 record, while Sweden leads the way with a perfect 3-0 record after three games.
Other Highlights of Winter Olympics 2026 Day 8
Beyond the medal events, Day 8 has other interesting Winter Olympics 2026 live updates. Bobsled training is underway for women’s monobob and two-man teams, preparing for future events. Great Britain celebrated a historic milestone on Day 7, with skeleton athlete Matt Weston winning their first individual gold since 1980. The romantic atmosphere of Valentine’s Day was also noted, though accompanied by the intriguing backstory of Norway’s Sturla Holm Laegreid’s infidelity confession after winning a biathlon bronze earlier in the week, an event that garnered global attention.
Conclusion
Day 8 of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games showcased the full spectrum of emotions that high-level competition evokes. From Jakara Anthony’s dominant return to form in dual moguls, to the dramatic twists and turns of the men’s hockey and cross-country relay events, the day was rich with compelling stories. The athletes continue to push their limits, providing memorable moments for fans worldwide as the Winter Olympics 2026 live updates continue to flow. The resilience displayed by many competitors, particularly after setbacks, underscores the unwavering spirit defining these Games.
FAQs about Winter Olympics 2026 – Day 8
1. What were the key medal events decided on Day 8 in the Winter Olympics 2026?
On Day 8, medals were awarded in women’s dual moguls, where Australia’s Jakara Anthony won gold, and Team USA’s Jaelin Kauf and Elizabeth Lemley secured silver and bronze, respectively. Gold was also awarded in the women’s cross-country relay to Norway. Medals were also determined in men’s 500m speedskating, men’s large hill individual ski jumping, and women’s skeleton.
2. Who were the major victors in women’s dual moguls on Day 8 of the Milan Cortina Games?
Australia’s Jakara Anthony secured the gold medal, making history as the first Australian athlete to win two Winter Olympic golds. American athletes Jaelin Kauf earned silver, and Elizabeth Lemley took home the bronze.
3. What were the notable results in men’s ice hockey during Day 8?
Key matches included Slovakia and Sweden being tied in a competitive game, while Germany held a lead over Latvia. These were preliminary and group stage games with significant implications for quarterfinal qualifications.
4. How did Team USA perform in the women’s dual moguls?
Team USA had a strong showing, with Jaelin Kauf winning silver and Elizabeth Lemley securing bronze. Both athletes faced dramatic challenges during their runs, adding to the day’s excitement.
5. What challenges did athletes face in the women’s cross-country relay?
The course in Tesero was described as soft and wet with slushy turns, leading to multiple crashes by athletes, most notably Sweden’s Ebba Andersson, who fell twice and broke a ski. Despite these challenges, Norway took gold, and Sweden mounted a dramatic comeback for silver.
6. Were there any surprising results in curling on Day 8?
Yes, in the women’s curling round robin, Great Britain pulled off a somewhat unexpected 7-6 victory over the world champions Canada, improving their standing in the competition.