But before I go, here are a couple of reports:
GB edge thriller in men’s curling semi-final:
USA stun Canada in overtime to claim gold in women’s ice hockey:
Round up
That’ll do from me.
What a night of Olympic action. Here’s a quick round-up:
GB beat Switzerland 8-5 in men’s curling to progress to gold medal match on Saturday. They’ll play Canada who edged Norway 5-4.
USA beat Canada 2-1 in overtime to win gold in women’s ice hockey.
USA’s Alysa Liu won gold in figure skating, beating the Japanese pair of Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai.
Zoe Atkin topped the charts and progressed to the next round of the women’s freeski halfpipe. So too did Canada’s Cassie Sharpe who had to be stretchered off after taking a nasty fall at the end of her second run.
Thanks for joining me. See you tomorrow.
🥇 Alysa Liu wins gold in figure skating for USA
Ami Nakai scores 140.45, giving her a score of 219.16 which is only good enough for bronze!
That means the world champion American ends a 24-year wait for gold for her country in this event.
Japan’s Sakamoto Kaori takes silver.
Updated
This could be close. It wasn’t a flawless show from the teenager. She nailed the triple axel but stumbled on her triple lutz.
She brings the curtain down with a haunting rendition of ‘What a Wonderful World’. She holds her chin at the end, as if to say “hmmm, was that enough?”
We’ll find out soon enough.
17-year-old Ami Nakai gets the crowd going with a triple axel.
She doesn’t nail a jump a little later.
She needs 148.09 for gold.
That was beautiful from Sakamoto. Everyone is on their feet as they thank a legend of the sport.
Someone throws a fluffy toy on the ice. I don’t get the reference or recognise the character, but it brings tears to her eyes.
She scores 147.67 and moves into the silver medal slot with 224.9.
She will close her career with a bronze. Alysa Liu in the gold medal spot.
But here comes Ami Nakai, our final skater.
The world champion Kaori Sakamoto steps onto the ice for the last time. What a career she’s had.
She leaves the sport with one bronze and two silvers in the Olympics, along with three gold medals in the World Champs – all in a row.
What will she leave with here?
The only person stopping a Japanese clean sweep on the podium is the near flawless Alysa Liu from the USA.
Stunning stuff. She leaves the ice to warm applause as she drinks in the adulation. A score of 150.25 means she ends with 226.79.
That guarantees her a medal no matter what happens next.
Updated
Canada hold nerve to meet GB in curling final
It needed 11 ends but the Canadians have done it! Norway fought valiantly, and scored two in the 10th to square it at 4-4, but it’s Canada who triumph 5-4 in the end.
They’ll meet Great Britain on Saturday in the gold medal match.
Chiba Mone dislodges Amber Glenn with a beautiful routine that puts her on a combined score of 217.88.
Just three skaters remain.
We switch to figure skating.
Japan’s Chiba Mone, who finished fourth in the opening round, is looking graceful and composed.
Updated
As Canada continue to fight for a place in the men’s curling final, Canada’s women ice hockey players collect their silver medals with crestfallen faces.
They were two minutes away from securing gold until a late American goal, followed by an overtime winner, denied them.
Here’s some reaction from the Brits:
“Oh my God, what’s happened?” Bruce Mouat can’t quite believe what he’s pulled off. “Thank you to everyone for the messages".”
Grant Hardie is more measured. “We adapted well in the second half. Hopefully we’ll talk about that for some time because it was incredible.”
Bobby Lammie adds, “Just proud of the. way we fought back and brought our best in the second half.”
Not to be left out, here’s Hammy McMillan: “Last time we played them in the round robin we got up and lost.”
Hardie again, on the final: “It will be the biggest match of our lives.”
And Bryan Armen Graham’s take on a thrilling days of speed-skating:
As we approach the end of the night’s action, and while Norway and Canada duke it out for the chance to challenge GB in the curling gold medal match, take a look at Sean Ingle’s latest:
Switzerland led 4-2 and had a chance to take a 6-2 lead in the 6th end.
But a fantastic throw from Mouat sparked the comeback. Then the two in the 8th and another two in the 10th completed what turned out to be a comfortably triumph.
It was anything but. GB will take home a medal but they’ll want gold on Saturday.
Great Britain win 8-5 to progress to gold medal match!
Stunning! They were behind for most of the contest, but Bruce Mouat has led his team to a remarkable victory and a shot at gold Saturday!
Updated
One will take this to an extra end. Switzerland have to score though with this final stone.
Here it comes…
Final stone from Mouat. It starts very wide. Too wide? No, it curls around and currently, before Switzerland’s last stone, GB have the two.
Norway with two and they take it to an extra end!
With the last throw of the stone, Norway make it 4-4, bagging two at the death.
Canada will have the hammer, but momentum with the Norwegians after that comeback.
Switzerland’s second last throw doesn’t do enough!
It’s a little light and compels the sweepers to get a move on. The stone doesn’t thwack the yellow at the front of the house with enough force and it seems like GB are still in control.
Two stones left for both GB and Switzerland.
Switzerland have two stones in the house above the button. But here comes Mouat. What can he deliver?
Stiff throw, he taps his own red which in turn knocks away one of those yellows.
GB have first and third. That first stone, shielded at the back of the house, is well positioned.
Switzerland take a timeout to strategise. It’s all on the line.
Four stones left for GB to hold onto this comeback and secure progress to the finals.
Hardie lands a stone right on the button. It surely won’t stay there much longer.
Switzerland will have the final throw. So it really is in the balance.
There is some joy for Canada though as they hold a 4-2 lead over Norway in the 10th and final end of their curling semi-final.
🥇 USA win gold in women's ice hockey
USA WIN IT! They equalised with two minutes left on the clock and now, with a slick move from Megan Keller, who burst through towards goal and worked the puck over the line with a flick of her stick has achieved the crowning moment of her career.
Sensational!
Tears on the Canadian bench and in the stands. Jubilation for the Americans. What a game.
Updated
End of the 9th and GB still hold a 6-5 lead!
Switzerland had the hammer but couldn’t make it count.
Both Canada and USA have shots to win the gold but neither can find the back of the net.
Amber Glenn is still in the leader’s chair in the figure skating.
One of the little facts I love about the Winter Games is that whoever tops the charts in an ongoing figure skating event gets to sit in a special chair. If someone topples them, they' have to move.
We’re getting closer to the big hitters with the three Japanese skaters yet to take the ice.
YES! GB take the lead!
Easy as from Moaut who had no obstruction, and a rock in play already, with the final throw.
For the first time the Brits nudge in front 6-5 after 8.
The other semi final is into the 9th and it’s tighter as Norway have clawed one back as they trail 3-2 to Canada.
Chance for two – and the lead – here for GB.
Switzerland’s stone was short. GB have the final rock and an open board.
Can they stick this?
Drama here with the curling as well.
GB chasing Switzerland to close a 5-4 score in the eighth. But they have the hammer and will have it again in the 10th.
Overtime in the ice hockey!
Reminder that you can follow the action with Beau right here:
Updated
USA EQUALISE!
It ain’t over til it’s over! The USA pulled their goalie to give them an extra player. They crowd the Canadian tender and a little flick from right in front from Hilary Knight has the puck in the net.
1-1 with less than two minutes to go!
Updated
Less than three minutes left for Canada to hang on in the women’s ice hockey gold medal match.
Switzerland take the lead – 5-4 - after seven ends, but that is a big momentum shift for GB.
A lovely shot from Mouat had GB in a position to take three points, but for a final stone from the Swiss.
But that was against the hammer. GB will have it for the next end. They’re more than hanging on in a contest that is living up to the hype.
We have our top 12 in the freeski halfpipe.
Zoe Atkin tops the charts and is joined by four Chinese competitors including reigning champion Eileen Gu.
Two Americans, one Aussie, one Kiwi and two Canadians, though one is Cassie Sharpe and I’m not sure she’ll be fit enough to carry on after a big fall.
Time is also running out for the Norwegian curlers as they trail Canada 3-1 in the 8th end.
They have the hammer so it’s almost now or never for the Scandis.
Less than 10 minutes left for the USA to pull a rabbit out of the hat.
8:48 left on the clock is “an eternity in hockey,” according to Beau who knows a lot more than me.
Still, time is ticking away.
Amber Glenn from the USA pulls off a stunning routine to take a commanding lead in the figure skating!
She leaves the ice with a score of 147.52 and a combined score 214.91.
Updated
Just 13 minutes left in the women’s ice hockey gold medal match.
Canada still with a 1-0 lead over USA.
Mouat – with the help of some great sweeping – lands a stone almost on the button.
But it doesn’t stay there long as Schwarz-van Berkel gets rid in no time.
It’s a ding-dog affair as Mouat responds by knocking away one of three Swiss stones.
Schwarz-van Berkel will have the final say in this sixth end but makes a big mistake! All they had to do was knock away the lone red British stone but he clipped his own yellow, gifting a point to GB.
Is that the momentum change?
After six ends, it’s Great Britain 4-4 Switzerland.
We’re back with the curling.
GB chasing Switzerland in the 6th end. They’re 4-3 down.
In the other semi-final Norway have opened up a 3-1 lead over Canada.
My chance to send a reminder – if you fancy joining Beau’s coverage of the women’s ice hockey final, you can do here:
My colleague Beau is keen for me to remind our dear readers that Cassie Sharpe is a legend.
“Already a gold and a silver in this event in her career,” Beau says. “She’s a huge deal in the sport and beyond.”
We all wish her well. Was a huge relief seeing her wave to the crowd as she left on the halfpipe on a stretcher.
Slick from Atkin. She doesn’t improve on her first run of 91.50, but no dramas as she’s still top.
She reaches a high of five metres and it all looked so effortless. So smooth. No wonder she’s all smiles.
Zoe Atkin is gearing up for her second run.
Totally redundant as she has surely qualified for the top 12. So this perhaps is little more than a training run.
GB close the gap in the 5th end!
Bruce Mouat delivers though will feel he left a point out on the ice with his final throw.
Still, that shaves one off the target at half-time.
A fair reflection (as far as I can tell) as the teams take a breather.
Cassie Sharp waves to the crowd as she’s stretchered off the halfpipe!
What a relief. That is surely her Olympics over but thank goodness she’s OK. She’ll receive further medical attention but the worst fears are at least cast aside.
What a shame. She would no doubt have challenged for a medal.
Updated
In the second semi-final in the men’s curling, Canada lead Norway after six ends.
For those who needed to Google (present company included), there are 10 ends in a match.
Sad to report that Sharpe is still receiving medical attention.
The commentators are silent. The crowd is stunned and open mouthed.
And she was right at the end of her run, falling with her final trick.
These are dangerous sports. We take it for granted how accomplished these elite athletes are that we can easily forget how perilous this is.
End of second period: Canada 1-0 USA
Seems trite to pivot to sport, but that’s the unrelenting nature of the Games.
Canada hold a slim lead in the women’s ice hockey gold medal match as the teams take a breather before the final push.
Sharpe was looking good until she clipped the edge on a landing.
She was going for a very big 1080, but couldn’t stick it. She’s still lying out on the snow surrounded by medical staff.
Everyone is holding their breath.
OOH! Big crash on the halfpipe!
There is a big crash as Canada’s Cassie Sharpe, who was well placed to qualify among the top 12 and make the next round, has had a big fall.
Her friends, family and coach look worried. Let’s hope she’s alright.
The medical staff are taking a long time. Not great scenes.
17-year-old Lida Karhunen from Finland goes second in the figure skating with a score of 127,73, nudging her up to 192.79 combined.
Elegant and composed. Lovely to watch (on my third screen as I try and keep on top of everything).
It seems that the Swiss can just play it safe and sure as the Brits keep making costly errors.
Bruce Mouat, one of the calmest heads in the sport, was too loose there with his final stone and pretty much handed his opponents two points.
Another mistake from the Swiss. Overcooked, yet again. They’ve lost their radar after a strong start. Still, they have the hammer so they will have a chance to score, especially as their penultimate throw was a thing of beauty.
The Brits respond and clear the board.
Benoit Schwarz-van Berkel delivers the final rock and it’s a good ‘un worth two points.
Switzerland 4-2 GB after four ends.
Job done for Eileen Gu who scores 86.5.
Eileen clips the wall again but gets away with it! She is not dialling it back, going for big air, apexing at 4.3 metres. Wow, she really cut that fine when she clipped the wall.
Still, when you’re good, you’re good.
She’s in third and that should be enough for a top 12 finish.
Updated
Right, all eyes on Eileen Gu who is no longer dancing.
She’s locked in. No room for an error now. She has to stick this run. Here she goes…
Eileen Gu is facing a shock exit in the women’s freeski halfpipe. She pranged it with her opening run so it’s now or never for the defending champion.
She looks so at ease though. Smiling, dancing, having fun. Pressure! What pressure?
She’s up next after the opening round.
GB HIT BACK! 2-2 with Switzerland.
Capitalising on the Swiss mistake, Bruce Mouat restores parity with the final stone of the third end.
Lara Naki Gutmann from Italy perfoms a thrilling routine to the theme tune of Jaws.
She wows the home crowd and gives them something to cheer as she moves to the top of the figure skating board with a score of 195.75. Comfortably clearing second place.
A reminder that a winning score will hover around 200.
Updated
Canada double their lead in the other semi-final.
2-0 up over Norway after the 4th end.
Early days but seems to me that the Swiss are playing a solid game here.
They almost daring the Brits to be aggressive with their throws.
Two rocks left for both teams in this third end. GB hold the dominant position, having shunted two yellow stones out the way. The Swiss go for an aggressive throw of their own and totally miss the mark, seeing their rock fly off the board.
Big opportunity to get on thr board here for Bruce Mouat. Can you stick this?
CANADA TAKE THE LEAD!
Kristin O’Neill bags the opener for Canada as they go 1-0 against USA.
Catch the live blog with Beau:
Eileen Gu crashes!
The 22-year-old phenom, and perhaps the only woman standing between Zoe Atkin and a gold medal, faltered on her first run.
The reigning champion will have just one more run to qualify for the final 12 and defend her crown.
In the other men’s curling semi-final, Canada lead Norway 1-0 after three ends.
GB have to play catch up now going 2-0 down.
Bruce Mouat overcooks a throw. I know nothing but it seemed like he had a clear line of sight to land this close to centre. The sweepers do their best but it shoots too long, leaving things exposed for the Swiss.
They make no mistake and score two points to close out the second end.
Swi 2-0 GB after two ends.
Just heard that we expect the winner of the figure skating to score in the region of 200.
So Zhang Ruiyang – top after six skaters – won’t have enough to stay in contention.
Six figure skaters have come and gone. China’s Zhang Ruiyang currently tops the charts with 178.03.
Still a long way to go, mind.
Speaking of no goals, we still have no points in the curling between GB and Switzerland.
We’re in the 2nd end and GB are well placed, knocking one of two Swiss yellow rocks away from the centre. They’ve also got two of their own in blocking positions but they count for nought as a solid throw from the Swiss threads the needle and nestles in a point scoring spot.
Our hockey correspondent, Beau Dure, has written in. What a treat!
During this intermission in my hockey coverage, I’ll pass along my curling experience ...
I’ve gone from showing up as a guest at our local curling club to joining the club to turning around and co-coordinating the program I used to attend as a guest. Mind you, that doesn’t mean I’m good.
I’ve instructed hundreds of new curlers throwing their first rocks. What I often tell them is that their first few rocks are going to come up short of the other end of the ice. Then everything will click, and they’ll throw it far harder than they thought they could, sending it past the rings on the other end.
Then it’s just a matter of finding the middle ground between those two extremes. That only takes 20 years.
Love it! I’m more compelled than ever to give it a go. Not sure I have 20 years in me, but at least once, that’s for sure.
Thanks Beau, hoping for some goals on your side.
The defending world champion, and the X Games champion, Zoe Atkin sets off…
She starts with a 540 and nosegrab.
Looking good, very smooth. Nice air throughout,
She nails that first run. Highest altitude of 4.1 metres and she sticks the landing.
Apparently the pipe is running slow – a consequence of the fresh snow. The commentators on TNT are very impressed with that.
Here comes the score:
She moves to top spot with 91.50!
Updated
The 1st end in the curling between GB and Switzerland ends 0-0.
Zoe Atkin is up next on the halfpipe!
The first period between USA and Canada ends goalless.
USA came closest but both teams were feeling each out out, no doubt keen to avoid an early mistake.
We have a new leader in the women’s freeski as Cassie Sharpe impresses the judges and bags a score of 88.25.
She’s rightly chuffed with that one. Can’t say I know too much about the tricks, but for those who know, she ended with a Switch Leftside Alley-Oop 540 Safety.
Gnarly.
Updated
Curling underway!
Sven Michel of Switzerland delivers a perfect stone (please forgive me, if my vernacular is off by all means correct me). Knocking away GB’s stone.
In the 1st end the Swiss are well placed with two stones close to the centre guard. Aggressive play early doors and that’s taken care of as the two yellows are swiftly dislodged.
To and fro.
Australia’s India Brown, who is just 16-years-old, has also registered a score on the halfpipe.
80.75 is handy, but also bewildering given her age.
What were you doing at 16? Were you representing your country at the Olympics?
Li Fanghui raises her arms and lets out a ‘whooop’ as she completes her halfpipe run in the women’s freeski.
That’s worth 85.00 and should feel good about her chances of securing a top 12 spot and qualification for the next round.
Still 0-0 between Canada and the USA.
I’m not keeping a very close eye – though Beau is – but seems like neither team is able to exert any dominance. They’ve only managed four shots each. “Choppy”, as Beau says.
Updated
Not long to go til we get some hot curling action.
Ditto for freestyle skiing on the halfpipe where GB’s Zoe Atkin will be part of the show.
Four figure skaters have registered a score.
She won’t stay there but Livia Kaiser from Switzerland currently tops the standings.
Speaking of curling (because it’s all I want to talk about), one reader has a rather unique perspective:
“Right now, I’m looking at the lighthouse on Ailsa Craig. My permanent view is of the source of curling stones... It’s even more impressive in daylight.”
That’s from Peter Gibbs.
I’m sure you all know, but just in case, that tiny uninhabited island off Scotland’s west coast supplies the granite used in every curling stone.
What a remarkable claim to fame!
Still goalless in the women’s gold medal hockey.
Almost halfway through the opening period. Canada have a powerplay advantage. Can they make it count against as team that hasn’t coughed up a goal with a player down all competition?
Updated
There’s curling action later as Team GB take on Switzerland in the men’s semis.
It’s such a bonkers, wonderful sport that I can’t wait to try.
Reader Mark Oliver has some experience himself:
We did it once as part of a team building exercise. We’d had a couple of drinks beforehand (not excessive) and the problem with that was that it made as a bit blase about being on ice. Ice is really slippy and a number of people went arse over tit. It was difficult, but enjoyable - but don’t ever think you’re going to be as good as those you see on the telly. You will be comparatively and objectively - a bit rubbish!
I am genuinely staggered by how good all these athletes are. I know they’re Olympians, but it blows my mind.
We’re now underway with the women’s figure skating.
It’s France’s Lorine Schild who will kick things off with the wonderfully named Triple Lutz+Triple Toeloop.
Updated
We’re off in the ice hockey!
Can Canada defend their title or will their noisy southern neighbours spoil their party?
Rather, the women’s free skating will get underway momentarily.
They’re warming up on the rink as we speak.
The women’s free skating is underway.
We currently have three Japanese skaters in the top four.
Ami Nakai tops the charts followed by Kaori Sakamoto. Alysa Liu from the USA is in third with Mone Chiba hoping to turn it into a full house for Japan on the podium.
Beau Dure will be live blogging the gold medal match between the USA and Canada.
I’ll provide goal updates, but if you want to follow along in real time you can do so here:
David Gayton has written in from across the pond:
Hi Daniel, greetings from Canada, I have an abiding memory of curling in that my father had to cut away from a bonspiel to come pick me up at a police station when I had run away at the age of 10. I was grounded for the rest of the winter…
That’s not quite what I had in mind when I asked for curling memories/experiences, but all welcome here.
Zoe Atkin and the rest of the field in the women’s freeski were due to get going at 6:30, but that could be shunted back to 8:30 given the poor weather.
Our man Sean on the ground will keep us posted. Fingers crossed there isn’t a major delay.
Reminder that we have a gold medal contest on the ice hockey rink as USA take on Canada.
Earlier Switzerland beat Sweden 2-1 in overtime.
That gold medal match, btw, gets going at 18:10.
Updated
Watching some women’s curling highlights as we build up the men’s semi-finals – GB v Switzerland, and Norway v Canada.
I’ve fallen in love with the sport over the Games and even started looking at casual curling to give it a go myself.
I’d love to know if any readers have curled (?) themselves. Similarly, have any of you watched a winter sport that felt totally alien and tried it out?
Cortina has seen more than 20 cm of snow fall today.
That has impacted a few events, as you can imagine. Half pipe skiing coming up later.
The scenes from the ski mountaineering were diabolical! That surely must test the skills and courage of all concerned.
The BBC’s Logan Gray – my go-to for all things curling – is talking down GB’s chances against Switzerland.
Not because he’s not backing the boys, but because the Swiss are so impressive.
“I’m backing them to offensive,” Gray says.
If you’re just joining us after a long day at the office and want something to get you in the mood, take a gander at these stunners:
Cheers Dan!
Hello everyone. I’ve switched on to that manic speed skating action that has shocked everyone.
What a gig this is keeping an eye on it all. What are you all watching? Give me a shout as we gear up to the USA v Canada grudge match in ice hockey as well as Britain’s Zoe Atkin on the halfpipe.
Righto, my watch is over. Here’s Dan Gallan to take you through a frankly ludicrous evening of behaviour.
Ning’s face watching that final heat, goodness me; he looked totally stupefied, his face then crumpled into joyous tears, and he can’t believe what he’s just done. His run was almost perfect – he may never deliver anything like it again – and he’s living the moment, goodness me he’s living the moment.
Updated
Ning Zhongyan of China wins gold in the men's 1500m speed skating, breaking the Olympic record in the process
Stolz of USA takes the silver, Nuis of the Netherlands the bronze. I’m not sure anyone, even Ning, saw that coming!
Updated
Stolz comes around the last bend, he’s flying, and is this the comeback of the decade? Surely not?!
Stolz is miles off, 1.4s behind at the bell!
Stolz is favourite, already a double gold medalist, and though he’s down 0.37 at the start, he comes on strong at the end … but then he’s 0.96 adrift! Ning is going to win gold…
Updated
They’re out and off we go…
Eitrem of Norway and and Sonnekalb of Germany are on the ice, both well outside Ning’s time, and with just two to come – Stolz of USA and Kongshuag of Norway – the Chinese leader is guaranteed a medal.
Ning rips the new Olympic record, almost 10 minutes old, into tiny littler pieces. His time of 1:41.98 puts him in the lead, while Nuis is quick enough to move second.
Updated
Ning looks the stronger at the bell, and are we going to see another Olympic record?
This men’s 1500m is wild, Nuis of Netherlands and Ning of China both inside the leading time at 700m…
Updated
I should’ve said, De Stefano of Italy, who was on the other side of the track to Wennemars, also nailed a brilliant run, his 1:43.41, relative to the Dutchman’s 1:43.05, means he’s now in silver-medal position.
Not quite. It stops, is the closest, and USA win 7-6, moving into the last four where they’ll face Sweden; Switzerland meet Canada, and GB are out.
…and it’s in, but is it going too far?
It looks good…
USA have their last shot to take, the pressure insane. Can they turn one in to go around the the red Swiss stones and stop in the house?
Wennemars finishes 2.08 inside the leading time, breaking the Olympic record in the process. Beat that, lads!
In the 1500m, Wennemars of Netherlands is killing it and the Durtch in the crowd are roaring him home.
Here come USA, it’s curling, and they nudge one away; they have two in the house, Switzerland three, and this is so close and so tense.
Switzerland take their penultimate go, they’ve got one left side of the house and three central; USA will need to clear those out, now. If their next shot isn’t a goodun, they’re in deep trouble.
Big stone for USA coming up, their third from last, it passes the guard … but only hits one red and, for the first time since we started, Switzerland are favourites.
in the 1500mm Kim of Hungary is streaking around the track – not like that, sunshine – and he’s going ahead, finishing in 1:45.13
With four stones to go, Switzerland have a guard up before the house and three in the house; USA have one, and this could be one of the great chokes. How are Sophie Jackson and pals feeling now?
On the rink, the men’s 1500m speed skating is under way. Semirunniy of Poland leads with 1:45.37, from Chung of Korea, from La Rue of Canada.
Updated
…it looks good, a little tap while holding her stone and it’s three to the Swiss …and there it is! A three-point end, and GB are still in dis ting! It finishes 6-6 and we’re going to play an extra end! If Switzerland win it, GB are into the last four, but USA, seeking to save themselves, have the hammer. How are their nerves?
…
Back with the curling, it’s one shot left apiece, Switzerland quite well placed, and yup, as we thought, they’ve one shot at removing an American red, and leaving themselves a lie-three. This is so tense, and here we go…
What a celebration! Sweden did not see that coming.
Oh my days! Out of nowhere, Switzerland sashay downrink, Wey to Muller to Wey to Muller … and she scores! Switzerland snaffle the bronze!
Updated
We’re playing overtime in the hockey now…
Morrison for GB looks to finish the match, knocks two yellow stones away, and that means a one-point end for Italy, who are beaten 7-4. GB have won three matches straight, but it doesn’t look like being enough. Next door, Switzerland have two stones in the house, USA one, and they’ve three goes each left.
Switzerland have the hammer, so there’s some hope, but they’ll have to play a really canny end to have a shot at saving the match when we get down to the business end. GB are nearly home against Italy, leading 7-3 with two stones apiece remaining in the match.
Huge stone for USA, here it comes … and it’s another goodun. They’ve been so clutch today and going into the final end, they lead Switzerland 6-3.
A two-point end for GB, who lead Italy 7-3 with just one end to go; they’ve almost done their part. But the intrigue now is with the Switzerland v USA game, and when USA sneak a stone through the remove two of the Swiss ones, they go a long way towards securing their semi-final spot and 5-3 playing the ninth.
Back with the women’s hockey, it’s still Sweden 1-1 Switzerland as we near the end of the third; the Swedes take a timeout.
Long discussions as USA consider their shot with four to go at the bottom of the ninth; each side has two in the house. They let go a yellow … and knock their own gear out. Switzerland have three ensconced, and this might be a pivotal end…
GB, meanwhile, have a 4-3 lead and the hammer playing the ninth, but will need a decent end to feel secure when we move to the 10th.
…and they have to settle for a one-point end. Switzerland trail USA 5-3, and GB’s hopes are almost extinguished. They’re going to need a massive 10th end, but first of all, the ninth.
Switzerland have one stone, but there are five yellows in the house; how many can their reds remove? Here we go…
More on Russia/Ukraine/Italy:
Italy, the host nation, called on Thursday for a reversal of the decision to let 10 Russian and Belarusian athletes compete with national flags and anthems at next month’s Paralympic Games. The foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, and the sports minister, Andrea Abodi, urged the International Paralympic Committee to reconsider its stance due to Russia’s four-year-old invasion of Ukraine, saying it contradicted the Olympic spirit.
The Italian government expressed its “absolute opposition” to the IPC’s ruling in September, it said in a statement late on Wednesday, adding that Rome’s stance echoed that of 33 other countries and the European Commission. “Russia’s continued violation of the truce and Olympic and Paralympic ideals, supported by Belarus, is incompatible with the participation of their athletes in the Games, except as neutral individual athletes,” the statement said.
Russia’s embassy in Italy said it was unacceptable to target athletes with disabilities. “The harsh and undiplomatic stance taken by the two Italian politicians, backed by the authority of the government they represent, is offensive and deserves widespread condemnation,” it said on Telegram.
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We’re away again in the women’s hockey, Sweden and Switzerland locked at 1-1 as we start the third. And in the curling, GB women are running out of … sheet, leading Italy 4-3 playing the eighth but with USA up 5-2 on Switzerland at the same stage. The Swiss, though, have the hammer and, with two stones left each, they need to act.
Yesssssss.
The Russian embassy in Rome on Thursday lashed out at Italy’s call for Russian athletes not to be allowed to compete under their national flag in the Paralympics in Italy next month.
In a Facebook post, the embassy criticised the “not very diplomatic position” taken by the Italian government, saying it was “offensive and deserves universal condemnation”.
The International Paralympic Committee this week said six Russians and four Belarusians will be allowed to take part under their own flags at the Milan-Cortina Paralympics.
Russia has been mostly banned from international sport since Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022, using the territory of its ally Belarus to help launch the offensive.
At the Olympics, Russian and Belarusian athletes have only been allowed to compete under a neutral flag.
The IPC’s decision triggered fury in Ukraine, which has said it will not be sending any officials to the March 6-15 Paralympic Winter Games and has urged other countries to join the boycott.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Sports Minister Andrea Abodi in a statement on Wednesday urged the IPC to “reconsider its decision” and expressed “full solidarity” and “unconditional support” for Ukraine.
They accused Russia of “an ongoing violation... of Olympic and Paralympic ideals”, calling it “incompatible with the participation of their athletes except under a neutral flag”.
The Russian embassy said the comments were “unacceptable”, particularly from a host country of the Paralympics.
Back to the women’s curling, USA are sizing up a chance for two and there’s a-hootin’ and a-hollerin’ as the stone makes its way up the sheet … and it’s there! USA lead Switzerland 5-2 after seven, while Italy have closed and now trail GB 4-3 playing the seventh.
I mentioned the Miracle on Ice a few minutes ago so let me say again that, though its political analysis is rudimentary to say the least, the personal stories in the new Netflix doc on the topic are extremely moving.
It’s half-time in the hockey and it’s Switzerland 1-1 Sweden 1 to 1 between Switzerland and Sweden. Meantime, back on the sheet, we’re at the end of the seventh and USA, with the hammer, are looking to extend their 3-2 lead over Switzerland.
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Switzerland close the gap on USA to 3-2 and we’re playing the seventh.
More excellent jiujitsu commentary from me. A terrific challenge from Lehmann, a pickpocketing really, sees her steal possession, shoot, regain the puck, and lash into the net. It’s now Sweden 1-1 Switzerland as the hunt for bronze in the women’s hockey intensifies.
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Finally! Svensson takes the puck around the back of the goal, lays it back, and from distance, Jungaker takes aim … and fires home. Sweden lead Switzerland 1-0 and, given they’ve been dominating, the shots, look good to secure the bronze medal.
Now GB have a chance to steal. Italy send their yellow up the sheet … and it misses that which they needed it to hit. At half-time, Sophie Jackson’s girls lead 4-1, and they’re in total control of the match … but can Switzerland do them a solid?
Switzerland have one more go in the fifth, down 2-1 to USA, and this’ll need to be a precise one, sneaking by a yellow with another yellow in the house … but I’m not sure it’s hard enough … and it isn’t! USA, who need a win to progress, steal for 3-1, and GB, though they lead Italy 3-1, have a problem.
Was Graham Poll reffing?
"There's going to be a national inquiry in Canada as to how this was missed." 😬
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 19, 2026
Czech Republic scored with an extra player on the ice which went unnoticed by the entire Canada side! pic.twitter.com/Rb80VBJ0Wm
Following a goal, the scored-against team has 45 seconds to appeal.
Right, we’re back under way in the women’s hockey, Switzerland 0-0 Sweden at the start of the second.
And what’s this?! GB have a chance to make two – though not in the way I suggested, “excellent jiujitsu” and all that. They slide a stone on to the button, and that’s 3-1.
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Back with USA – tangentially, last week I learnt that the USA USA USA chant was born at Lake Placid in 1980, during the Miracle on Ice happened – they now lead Switzerland 2-1 playing the fifth, but the Swiss have the hammer.
(When a mate and I were getting into MMA, we’d find ourselves gobbing off to each other like we knew what we talking about. From there, we found ourselves saying “excellent jiujitsu” every time one of us – or anyone else – was, in our opinion talking ill-informed nonsense about any topic.)
Italy have equalised in the curling, but GB have the hammer and Sophie Sinclair has a chance to knock one yellow into another, in the house. She gets close but not close enough, though there’s a red guard just outside the house that might work to grabbing a two later in the end.
“A tweak to Nordic combined, says Eivind Krog, “should be that the athletes had to choose one pair of skis to use for both events (ski jump and cross-country), i.e. either ski jump-skis or cross-country skis. This would bring in a new tactical element, and would make for a great viewing. Do you opt for a really good head start on the cross-country part, but with 2.5 m long skis, or do you risk your life with chopsticks in the ski-jump hill in order to go fast in the second part of the race?”
I’ve swallowed my insides merely thinking about either.
Great news: my wife has gone to the office meaning a) I’ve whacked the heating off, *knee slide*, and b) I’ve retrieved my laptop so now have Switzerland v USA on that in the women’s curling …. and it’s now 1-1 after three. This is going be tight.
Biggup Yara and hold tight all. GB lead Italy 1-0 playing the third, but USA, who GB need to lose, are up 1-0 on second-placed Switzerland. In the women’s hockey bronze-medal tussle, it’s Switzerland 0-0 Sweden with two minutes left in the first.
Another email on ski mountaineering tweaks, this one from Dan:
Re the email about the diamonds: Skimo is great. I think the diamonds are to test the ability to ski across the gradient as well as up. But the competition should really go the full Jeux sans frontières. How about some additional tasks at the top? Transferring water from one tub to another, or aiming sponges at a dummy. Ho ho ho, in a Stuart Hall voice. Switzerland have played their Joker.
Keep the ideas coming. In fact, what tweaks would you make to any Winter Olympic sport? Send them over to Daniel, who is back to take you through the rest of the afternoon.
Curling: Great Britain opt to blank the first end against Italy in a must-win game, with the thinking that they can keep the hammer for another end. A semi-final spot is on the line.
An email from Chris on the ski mountaineering, which was such a thrill:
What’s with the “diamonds” in the uphill section of Ski Mountaineering – isn’t skiing uphill hard enough already? And couldn’t they make the downhill more tasty by making the competitors somersault off the jump?
Maybe for 2030 in the French Alps? Somersault off the jump and then cartwheel across the finish line.
🥇 Norway win nordic combined team sprint
Norway’s Jens Lurås Oftebro crosses the finish line first with a time of 41:18.0 in gruelling, snowy conditions. He has a hat-trick of gold medals at Milano Cortina, and what a way to nab the third – coming back after a mistake and stumble early on. He celebrates with his Norway teammates as Finland win silver (+0.5sec) and Austria claim bronze (+22.3sec).
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Nordic combined: Finland are now in the lead, with Eero Hirvonen battling against Norway’s Jens Lurås Oftebro. Austria’s Johannes Lamparter is targeting bronze.
Ice hockey: the women’s bronze medal match has just begun. Sweden, who shocked Czech Republic in the quarter-finals are taking on Switzerland.
Nordic combined: The second phase of the team sprint competition, the cross-country skiing, is under way. Germany started with a 13sec advantage over Norway, and a 21sec advantage over Japan.
Norway are the big movers early on. Germany holds the lead, but it’s shrunk demonstrably by about 4sec at the second exchange. Meanwhile, Austria has caught up to Finland and Japan.
🥇Cardona Coll of Spain wins ski mountaineering gold in the men's sprint
The Swiss duo surge ahead but the Spaniards are right on their tails but Jon Kistler loses his footing on the diamonds and trips. Oriol Cardona Coll of Spain is the first on the steps and the oldest man in the race maintains his lead all the way to the end! The world champion becomes the Olympic champion!
Russia’s Nikita Filippov wins silver, making it the first medal at the Milano Cortina Games for individual neutral athletes. Thibault Anselmet, who was last to arrive at the diamonds, somehow wins bronze!
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Ski mountaineering: Men’s final coming up. Can Switzerland do the double with either of Arno Lietha or Jon Kistler winning gold. Here we go …
🥇Fatton of Switzerland wins first ever Olympic ski mountaineering gold
Marianne Fatton manages to bypass Emily Harrop as the Frenchwoman loses some time in a transition. She collapses in a bank of snow – she can’t quite believe it! Harrop wins silver and Spain’s Ana Alonso Rodriguez takes bronze.
Ski mountaineering: The women’s final is underway, with Emily Harrop as the favourite. The Frenchwoman will be defending her world No 2 ranking in the women’s sprint from last year.
Curling: the afternoon sessions have been delayed by about 25 minutes. The snow in Cortina is coming down quite heavily which has delayed some of the curlers coming into the arena. Team GB have just arrived. Italy and Canada are the only other teams still in the building.
Meanwhile, Fabiana gets in touch:
Just wanted to share with you, on the topic of how much people are taken by curling these days, that in a small town near where I grew up they invented a version of curling called “curling bisiac” (from the name of the area) for which they use “modified” pressure cookers instead of the stones (cause they were too expensive).
They started in 2013 and now they organise a yearly tournament with up to 800 players; they even trademarked the name and rules (some are from curling, some from bocce and some made up by them).
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Ski mountaineering: The snow is coming down quite heavy now before the second semi-final unfolds. Will this be a repeat of the first semi-final? The Swiss and the Spaniard are in front, with Arno Lietha and Ot Ferrer Martinez in joint first position. But oh no, bad transition from Ferrer Martinez! Lietha and Nikita Filippov (competing as a neutral) cross the finish line first and book an automatic spot in the final. Ferrer Martinez has done just enough to sneak in alongside Thibault Anselmet.
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Ski mountaineering: First men’s semi-final, here we go! Jan Kistler of Switzerland is at the front with Oriol Cardona Coll of Spain on his tails. Those two make the final and now Thibault Anselmet of France must wait to see if he can sneak in as a lucky loser. There was a power cut midway through which meant fans watching missed some of the racing after the big screen went out.
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Ski mountaineering: Before we get to the men’s semi-final, here is a bit of history about this sport that is making its Olympic debut. Not only does skimo’s history trace back hundreds of years to Alpine military training, it also has a lot of rich history specific to its Olympic host location.
“It’s kind of where ski mountaineering racing came to life,” Michela Martinelli, the sport manager of ski mountaineering for Milano Cortina, said of the Alpine region surrounding Bormio, which boasts many successful skimo athletes and a leading ski manufacturer for the sport.
Skimo evolved largely in the 1980s when recreational races started to appear, its first world championships being held in 2002 in Serre Chevalier, France. In 2022 it was adopted into the Youth Olympic Games before being added for Milano Cortina.
Two of the competing Italian athletes, Giulia Murada and Michele Boscacci, are from the surrounding region and both have their fathers helping to prepare the Olympic course. Their fathers, Ivan Murada and Graziano Boscacci, are themselves decorated ski mountaineers. Together they won the team race at the first ever world championship, playing a large part in Italy’s success in the sport.
Ski mountaineering: Margot Ravinel of France wins the second semi-final and Tatjana Paller of Germany is in second. They will be joined by lucky losers Giulia Murada of Italy and Ana Alonso Rodriguez of Spain in the final.
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Thanks Daniel and hello all. Emily Harrop of France and Marianne Fatton of Switzerland have qualified for the skimo final from the first semi.
Righto, I’m off for a little break. Here’s Yara to croon you through the next bit – and it should be a jazzer.
Harrop still leads, and she’s going to win; Alonso Rodriguez can’t catch Fatton, but she might qualify as a fastest loser; her time of 3:09.19 will need bettering by two others to keep her out
“A little note about the Italian national anthem, which you mentioned on Tuesday.,” says Licia. “Its official name is indeed ‘Il Canto degli Italiani’, but it is not the name Italians would use. We call it ‘l’inno di Mameli’ and previously it was also commonly referred to as ‘Fratelli d’Italia – that is, before the name was hijacked by Giorgia Meloni for her own party. I suspect that if you asked random Italians to sing ‘il Canto degli Italiani’, without specifying, most would answer they are not familiar with it!”
I love stuff like this, thanks a lot.
Harrop of France leads, from Fatton of Switzerland, from Alonso Rodriguez of Spain; two go through into the final.
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Email! “Not only is Spain a hotbed of ski mountaineering,” writes Meg Cartwright, “but I learnt from Australian Olympic statistician Andrew Hawkins that they are very likely to win gold in the event – and it would be the first gold that Spain has won at the Winter Olympics since 1972 in Sapporo! And that was a shock win in the men’s slalom. In fact, it remains their only gold. So history coming up!”
Here we go!
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Well, mates, it was tough but we made it: an hour and 10 without live sport, over in 60, 59, 58….
Coming up next: at 11.55, we’ve the semis of the women’s sprint skimo; the men’s follows at 12.25, then the finals at 12.55 and 1.15 respectively.
In between times, the cross-country aspect of the men’s team sprint, large hill, Nordic combined, gets going at 1pm, with GB taking on Italy in the women’s curling at 1.05pm; they need to win, and need Switzerland to sort out USA.
Then, at 1.40pm, Sweden meet Switzerland in the bronze-medal match of the women’s ice hockey, and at 3.30pm, we’ve the medal race in the men’s 1500m speed skating.
Ouch.
Not directly related to the Winter Olympics but, as we know, everything is everything – and it’s always worth reading Thomas Hauser.
Live sport!
Back to Chen Meiting, I might’ve picked this one.
A banger I found looking for that last photo. Spinks became the only man to take the world title away from Ali in the ring – his other losses came in non-title bouts or as the challenger.
What on earth?!
Yessssss.
Alreet, we’re bereft of action until the semis of the women’s sprint ski mountaineering at 11.55; unfortunately, a heavy snurr-storm means the final of the men’s aerials and quallies of the men’s halfpipe have been postponed until tomorrow. So we’ll chat over what we’ve seen and what’s to come, then get right back involved.
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Here comes Norway’s final shot, they ram stones away and is there a chance for Canada to score two with their final shot? There is not, so the teams shake hands with Norway winnings 8-6; the teams will meet again at 6.05pm, with Switzerland taking on GB.
Canada call a timeout for a blather, working out what they might do to set up their final shot, the last of the match. If they can clip off one stone and career across the house, they’ll have a chance of a two … but they go way too hard, catch it full in the face, and Norway are nearly there.
With two stones left each, each team has two in the house, with Canada a couple of guards too. This is in the balance.
No score in the ninth between Norway and Canada, but Canada retain the hammer for the 10th trailing 8-6, and I’d not be surprised if we see an extra end here. Yes, I am a expert.
Er, our broadcast is interrupted for some breaking news.
Gaaaaah. The men’s aerials and halfpipe qualifying have been postponed until tomorrow, due to snurr; yes, here in the mountains. Who knew?
This means that the Norway v Canada match is only about who plays who in the semis. If Norway win, they finish third in the pool and meet Canada in this evening’s semis, with GB meeting Switzerland in a battle of 1 v 4. If Canada come back to win, they face GB, with Norway taking on Switzerland.
Yup, Switzerland bang away the Italian stone, adding two to confirm a 9-5 win and a 9-0 group stage performance. In so doing, they usher Bruce Mouat and boys into the last four, which will comprise them, Canada, GB and Norway.
Italy are in all sorts, trailing 7-5 playing the ninth, without the hammer, and with two Swiss stones in the house. I’d not be shocked if the handshake comes in two shots’ time, and when Italy remove one rock but hit it full in the face, they remove their gloves, the take-out inevitable.
Shot for Norway, the last of the eighth, and they’re going for two … but knock their own stone away so must make do with a poxy one, and they lead 8-6. But a big end for Canada next up and the 10th is an arse-nipper.
A terrible stone from Italy’s Retornaz means what might’ve been a three will only be a two; after eight, Switzerland lead 7-5 and this isn’t over yet.
Eeeee, Canada close to 7-6 playing the eighth, but Norway have the hammer; Italy do too and have three stones in the house, so this one isn’t over yet.
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The heats of the sprint ski mountaineering are over; the women’s semis – there are two – are at 11.55 and men’s at 12.25, and we’ll get properly involved in it all then.
Ey up, Canada have closed the gap against Norway to 7-5. That, I imagine, will be welcome news for GB who want the comeback win to avoid Switzerland in the last four. If Italy and Norway are both beaten, GB finish third in the pool, so will play the second-placed Cannucks.
…and it’s a three! After seven ends, Switzerland lead Italy 7-3, and GB are almost in the semis. It’ll take a comeback for the ages to rescue this one for the hosts.
Switzerland are reasserting in the men’s curling but, and though, as I type, Italy land one on the button, here comes the final shot of the seventh end which gives the pool winners a chance at three or four…
I’m not sold on the shade of green, but I do enjoy Mattia Giovanella’s shoes.
Now then. A big shot from Italy, they’re on for three … and end up with two. Switzerland lead 4-3 playing the seventh and with the hammer.
It’s so special when someone special proves their specialness.
It shouldn’t be possible to win an Alpine event by 1.5s – and I guess it isn’t, unless you’re Mikaela Shiffrin.
Spaniards are first and second in the first heat of the men’s sprint ski mountaineering; I didn’t realise there was a hotbed of this. You live and learn.
Also going on:
Ooooh, A double take-out attempt from Norway … and it’s there. They lead Canada 7-2 playing the sixth, and look set for the last four.
The cross-country bit gets going at 1pm, and I’m looking forward to that. It’s a scientific fact that here’s no kind of race a human can devise that is uncompelling.
In the Nordic, teams of two both have a go at ski jumping, and Germany have just leapt into the lead; they’ll start the cross-country portion with no time penalty, because Austria have just completed this part of things, and only landed far enough for fifth. Norway are second, Japan third and Finland fourth.
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We’re back under way in the men’s curling. If Switzerland and Norway win, the former will meet GB in the semis, the latter Canada again.
The men’s ski mountaineering is soon to get going, the extent of the things human will invent to compete and entertain themselves never failing to amaze me. There are so many heats and runners we’ve never heard of, it’s not easy to keep track, but we’ll keep watching, intensifying our participation as we move through the rounds.
In the Nordic combined, large hill, Czechia lead, from Slovenia, from China, from Poland, from Ukraine. We’ll properly visit with them when the cross-country aspect gets going a bit later on.
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Back with the men’s curling, it’s now 4-1 to Switzerland – defending a 100% record – and that’s the score at half-time. Next door, Norway lead Canada 5-2.
OK, I’ve got the qualifying of the sprint ski mountaineering on – a new event, as per the below – and they’re currently … running up stairs? I think, this time around, I’m enjoying the straight races – your biathlons and cross-countries of this world – events with everyone out together, and with the winner obvious to anyone.
I wonder if either Switzerland or Canada considered taking a view. Of course their competitive integrity would prevent them from so doing, but they’ll have seen how well GB played in caning USA, and deemed it best for all concerned if they were to go out.
Good news ands bad news from the sheet: Switzerland lead Italy 3-1 playing the fifth, but Norway lead Canada 5-4 on the fourth.
Preamble
Buongiorno a tutti e benvenuti alle Olimpiadi invernali 2026 – tredicesimo giorno!
No gentle easing into this one: already under way are the final matches in the men’s curling pool, with GB needing either first-placed Switzerland sort out Italy or second-placed Canada to deal with Norway. If one of those two things happens, Bruce Mouat and lads are into the knockouts – and from there, who knows?
And at lunchtime, the women get going, GB needing to handle Italy with second-placed Switzerland nailing third-placed USA. That happens, they’d also be into the last four.
In between times, we’ve men’s and women’s sprint ski mountaineering – debut event, heats, semi and final – in which we need to watch out for Emily Harrop, French with British parents, who’s favourite. Then there’s the men’s team Nordic combined, both ski jumping and cross-country, along with men’s halfpipe quallies so, plenty to keep us going.
Then, this afternoon, we’ve the Sweden v Switzerland for the bronze medal in the women’s ice hockey and the 1500m final in the men’s speed skating, before all manner of evening behaviour – starting with the free program of the women’s singles figure skating.
Roundabout the same time, Switzerland and Canada take on two of GB, Norway and Italy in the men’s curling semis, while USA meet Canada in the final of the women’s hockey – there might be rancour – with the women’s halfpipe also getting going. That one features Zoe Atkin – a serious medal prospect whose sister Isabel took bronze in the 2018 slopestyle – but Eileen Gu, defending champ and double silver medalist in the big air and slopestyle, is one of various hunting the gold.
Esattamente! Andiamo!
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