If the first twelve days of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics were about setting the stage, Day 13 was the performance of a lifetime.
From the history making debut of a new Olympic sport to the resolution of a decades long ice hockey rivalry, Thursday, February 19, 2026, will be remembered as the day the Games transitioned from a competition into a legend.
As the sun sets over the Dolomites and the lights of the Mediolanum Forum flicker late into the night, the world stands at a tipping point.
With only a few days remaining, every medal won tonight shifted the gravity of the overall standings, leaving fans breathless for the “Final Friday” ahead.
Day 13: Top Moments & Medal Masterclass
The “Golden Goal” Rivalry: Canada vs. USA
The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the Women’s Ice Hockey Gold Medal Game. In a fifth consecutive Olympic final meeting between the two titans, Canada edged out the USA in a 3-2 thriller.
- The Moment: Captain Marie Philip Poulin cemented her legacy as “Captain Clutch,” scoring the decisive goal in the second period.
- The Result: Canada successfully defended their gold, while the USA took a hard fought silver. Earlier in the day, Sweden claimed the bronze in an emotional 2-1 victory over Switzerland.
A Historic First: Ski Mountaineering (Skimo)
For the first time in Winter Olympic history, Ski Mountaineering medals were awarded. Amidst heavy snowfall at the Stelvio Ski Centre, athletes battled vertical climbs and treacherous descents.
- Men’s Sprint: Spain’s Oriol Cardona Coll became the sport’s first ever male Olympic champion, powering up the “mountain stairs” to win gold.
- Women’s Sprint: Switzerland’s Marianne Fatton took the gold, proving why she has dominated the World Cup circuit for years.
The Speed Skating Surge: Record Breaking Ice
At the Rho Fiera, the ice was fast and the stakes were higher.
- Ning Zhongyan (China): In a massive upset, Ning clocked a blistering 1:41.98 in the Men’s 1,500m, breaking the Olympic record and capturing gold.
- Jordan Stolz (USA): The 21 year old American phenomenon fought through a grueling final lap to secure Silver, his third medal of these Games, further proving he is the future of the sport.
Nordic Combined: Oftebro’s “Triple Crown”
Norway’s Jens Lurås Oftebro equaled Olympic history today. By anchoring Norway to gold in the Team Sprint, he secured his third gold medal of Milano Cortina 2026, matching the record for the most successful Nordic Combined performance in a single Games.
The Medal Table at the End of Day 13
The race for the top spot is tighter than ever, with Norway holding a slim lead over the host nation, Italy.
| Rank | Country | 🥇 Gold | 🥈 Silver | 🥉 Bronze | Total |
| 1 | Norway | 15 | 8 | 10 | 33 |
| 2 | Italy | 9 | 5 | 12 | 26 |
| 3 | United States | 7 | 11 | 6 | 24 |
| 4 | France | 6 | 7 | 4 | 17 |
| 5 | Netherlands | 6 | 7 | 2 | 15 |
Day 14 Preview: “Final Friday” (Feb 20, 2026)
If Day 13 was about individual legacies, Day 14 is about national pride.
We move into the semifinals of the most anticipated tournament in the world.
Men’s Ice Hockey: The Semifinals
The NHL stars have returned, and the quality of play has been astronomical. Today, the world finds out who will play for gold.
- Canada vs. Finland (15:40 CET): A rematch of legendary proportions. Can the Canadian offense pierce the Finnish “Iron Wall”?
- USA vs. Slovakia (20:10 CET): The young, fast Americans face a Slovakia team that has become the sentimental favorite of the tournament.
Short Track: The “Relay of Death”
The Men’s 5,000m Relay Final is the highlight of the evening. Expect high speed crashes, photo finishes, and intense physical contact as Canada looks to defend their world title against a surging South Korean squad.
Biathlon & Slopes
- Men’s 15km Mass Start: The final individual test for the biathletes. Quentin Fillon Maillet (France) looks to add a second gold to his 2026 collection.
- Men’s Aerials Final: Watch for Reilly Flanagan (Australia) and the Chinese contingent to push the limits of physics with quadruple-twisting flips.