Key Events of the Day
The competitions on February 17 confirmed that the favorites not only maintained their positions but also significantly increased their advantage. Norway was the first to reach the milestone of 30 medals, winning gold and silver in the morning heats.The host nation, Italy, added its ninth gold medal thanks to a victory in the men's team pursuit in speed skating, ahead of the USA team, which, by winning silver, increased its total medal count to 20.
In the big air freestyle tournament, Mac Forehand from the USA won silver, finishing behind Norwegian Tormod Frostad.
A significant highlight of the day was the performance of the German bobsledders, who took all three podium places in the two-man event, marking a rare example of one team's dominance in a technical sport.
Nordic Combined: Oftedahl and His Second Gold
Norwegian Jens Luraas Oftedahl became the central figure of the day, winning gold in the large hill event combined with a 10 km race, marking his second personal Olympic success.Photo Getty Images.
Silver went again to Austrian Johannes Lamparter, who finished just a few seconds behind the winner, while the bronze medal was won by Finnish Ilkka Herola, earning his first Olympic medal after four participations.
Oftedahl started the race with a 22-second deficit but managed to significantly accelerate in the final kilometers and confidently finished first.
During the competitions, actions were held in support of gender equality, where protesters reminded that women's Nordic combined is not included in the Olympic program and that the future of this discipline requires discussion.
Biathlon: Victory in the Final Meters
One of the most thrilling events of the day was the men's relay in biathlon, where the French, showing character, managed to overtake the Norwegians in the final stages.
This is France's first gold in men's biathlon. Photo Getty Images.
The race remained tense until the last shot, and the results highlight the high competition in this sport, where even the slightest mistake can cost gold.
The medals in the men's relay were distributed as follows: gold - France, silver - Norway, bronze - Sweden.
Experts note that team races are increasingly becoming the arena for dramatic finishes at major tournaments.
Hockey: Battle for Quarterfinal Spots
In the hockey matches, teams fought for a place in the quarterfinals: France lost to Germany 1:5, Switzerland defeated Italy 3:0, the Czech Republic won against Denmark 3:2, and Latvia lost to Sweden 1:5.
Photo Bruce Bennett / Getty Images.
Thus, in the quarterfinals, the USA will face Sweden, Canada will play against the Czech Republic, Slovakia will compete against Germany, and Finland will take on Switzerland.
Canada and the USA are often considered favorites, with many experts this Olympics believing the USA team to be even stronger than the Canadian team.
Speed Skating: Triumph of the Hosts and Emotional Support
The victory of the Italian speed skaters in the team pursuit became one of the most emotional moments of the tournament: the support from local fans was immense, and the athletes displayed nearly perfect tactics.
Photo Getty Images.
This success solidified Italy's position in the medal standings and highlighted the effectiveness of their preparation for the home Olympics.
The Canadian champions also won the final of the women's team pursuit. Ivani Blondin, Valerie Maltais, and Isabelle Weidemann, who were behind at the start, perfectly timed their surge and repeated their success from Beijing in 2022.
Photo Getty Images.
Silver went to the Netherlands. In the semifinals, the Canadian athletes defeated the USA team, while the bronze was won by Japanese speed skaters, who edged out the Americans.
Freestyle: Norwegian Success in the Air
In the men's big air, Norwegian Tormod Frostad confirmed his status as one of the best riders of the season, while Mac Forehand brought another medal to the USA.
Tormod Frostad. Photo Getty Images.
The final featured intense competition - judges noted the complexity of the tricks and the consistency of the medalists, indicating the rising level of this sport.
Weather Conditions: Challenges for Organizers
Heavy snowfall led to delays in the qualification of women's acrobatics in freestyle, requiring organizers to clear the tracks and adjust the schedule.
Photo Getty Images.
Weather conditions are one of the most serious challenges of the Winter Games, especially in open mountain venues.
Figure Skating: Start of the Ladies' Competition
In figure skating, the ladies' competition in Milan has begun, opening a new chapter of the tournament.For many athletes, the short program is the foundation for future successes, and the high density of results leaves chances for medals for several participants.
Germany's Bobsleigh Triumph
In the two-man bobsleigh event, Johannes Lochner and Georg Fleischhauer won gold with a lead of 1.34 seconds. Three of their team's four runs lasted less than 55 seconds, and the total time was 3:39.70.
Photo Getty Images.
The second place went to the team of Francesco Friedrich and Alexander Schüller with a time of 3:41.04, while the bronze was won by Adam Ammour and Alexander Schaller, finishing with a time of 3:41.96.
The German team has won gold in two-man bobsleigh at three consecutive Olympics and has taken all three podium places for the second time in a row.
Overall Medal Standings: Formation of the Leading Group
By the middle of the Olympics, a group of countries consistently contending for gold has emerged. Norway is confidently leading, while Italy and the USA continue to battle for the second position.Experts note that the second half of the Olympic Games often brings unexpected breakthroughs, especially in alpine skiing and team sports.
Conclusion
The eleventh day of the 2026 Olympics was significant: the favorites confirmed their statuses, but each medal was hard-earned.Norway strengthens its position, France shows determination in biathlon, Germany demonstrates team strength, and Italy draws inspiration from the support of its spectators.
