Exploring Medal Chances for the U.S. in the Upcoming Events of the Games

U.S. Team Shines with Medal Wins at Milan-Cortina Olympics

The U.S. Olympic team made a significant comeback on Monday at the Milan-Cortina Winter Games, securing gold and bronze in the women’s monobob event. This marked a pivotal moment in the competition after a disappointing medal tally the previous day.

Elana Meyers Taylor, the most decorated female bobsledder in U.S. history, clinched her first Olympic gold medal alongside three silvers and two bronzes by winning the women’s monobob. Her teammate, Kaillie Humphries, who triumphed in this event at the Beijing Games, took home the bronze medal.

The U.S. struggled overall on Sunday but found redemption in the monobob competition, which features standardized bobsleds, emphasizing driver skill. As the Olympics progress, the U.S. faces challenges in topping the total gold medal count, with Norway currently leading, having dominated four of the last six Winter Games. Betting sites have set the over-under for U.S. golds at 12.5, with the U.S. securing six golds thus far compared to Norway’s 12.

Looking ahead, potential U.S. medal opportunities still exist. In alpine skiing, Mikaela Shiffrin holds the top rank in slalom, yet her performance in Italy has not met expectations. The U.S. has promising options in bobsled, particularly in the two-women event, and the women’s curling team is poised to reach the medal round, although gold may be elusive. In figure skating, a medal is possible, though gold seems unlikely. Freestyle skiing still has numerous events remaining, contributing to the unpredictability of the Games.

In ice hockey, the U.S. women’s team appears strong, while the men’s team is also in contention with NHL players. Short track speed skating leaves room for surprises, and ski mountaineering is new to the competitive landscape, adding to the unknowns.

Elsewhere on Monday

• Alpine skiing faced challenges due to difficult weather conditions, resulting in only 44 out of 96 competitors completing the men’s slalom. Switzerland emerged victorious, followed by Austria and Norway, while the U.S. finished without a clean run.
• The U.S. women’s curling team lost to Italy, bringing their record to 1-2.
• Japan celebrated a gold medal in pairs figure skating, while the U.S. team placed seventh.
• In freestyle skiing, Canadian athletes dominated, eliminating the U.S. in earlier rounds.
• The U.S. women’s hockey team decisively beat Sweden 5-0, advancing to face Canada for the gold medal after Canada defeated Switzerland.
• In short track speed skating, the U.S. faced early elimination in the women’s 1,000 meters, with the Netherlands winning gold.
• Austria took the men’s ski jumping super team competition, concluding a weather-shortened event, where the U.S. finished eighth.

Looking Ahead
Fans can tune in to a variety of events scheduled for Tuesday, including women’s snowboard slopestyle and figure skating competitions featuring U.S. athletes.

This year’s Winter Olympics promise more exciting moments, as teams continue to compete for glory in Milan and Cortina.