Ice dancing Olympics 2026 delivers a big moment for Team USA

Team USA enjoyed a standout day at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics as ice dancing delivered late drama and speed-skater Jordan Stolz made history with a record-breaking gold.

At the ice dancing Olympics 2026, American pair Madison Chock and Evan Bates claimed silver after a tense final that went down to the final skate. France’s Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron edged them out for gold, while Canada’s Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier took bronze.

Chock and Bates delivered a season-best free dance, scoring 134.67, but were narrowly beaten by the French duo’s 135.64 in a finish that kept the arena on edge until the final scores were confirmed. The silver adds to their medal haul at these Games after playing a key role in Team USA’s gold in the team figure skating event earlier this week.

“It’s the most you can hope for when you’re competing, to deliver your best every time you step on the ice,” Chock said after the medal ceremony. “We did that.”

Stolz breaks Olympic record to lead Team USA surge

Earlier in the day, Stolz produced one of the defining moments of the Games by winning gold in the men’s 1,000-metre speedskating and setting a new Olympic record with a time of 1:06.28. The 21-year-old American overhauled Dutch skater Jenning de Boo in the final lap, cementing his status as one of the breakout stars of Milan Cortina.

“I knew I had to find another gear,” Stolz said afterwards. “I went as hard as I possibly could.”

The gold marked Stolz’s first Olympic medal and placed him firmly among the favourites for further podium finishes later in the Games.

More medals as USA climbs the table

Team USA’s medal count continued to grow as Ryan Cochran-Siegle claimed silver in the men’s super-G, backing up his podium finish from Beijing four years ago. Switzerland’s Franjo von Allmen won gold, with Marco Odermatt taking bronze.

In snowboarding, two-time Olympic champion Chloe Kim topped qualifying in the women’s halfpipe in her first appearance of these Games, putting herself in prime position ahead of the final. Kim, chasing a historic third straight Olympic gold in the event, looked comfortable despite returning from a recent shoulder injury.

By the end of the day, Norway and Italy led the overall medal table with 13 medals each, while the United States sat close behind on 12, including four golds.

With men’s hockey set to begin, Chloe Kim’s halfpipe final looming and short track speed-skating promising more unpredictability, momentum appears to be building for Team USA as the Milan Cortina Olympics head into another packed day of competition.