The host nation Italy was among the early gold medal winners on the opening day of competition at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games on Saturday, joined by Japan, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Italy’s Francesco Lollobrigida delivered a strong start for the hosts by winning gold in the women’s 3000m speed skating event. Japan also made an immediate impact, with Kira Kimura winning gold and teammate Ryoma Kimata taking silver in the men’s snowboard big air, giving Asian teams a successful opening day.

Norway, the overall champion of the previous three Winter Games, added to its medal haul when Anna Odine Stroem captured gold in the women’s NH individual ski jumping competition.

Sweden dominated the grueling 10 km + 10 km skiathlon, finishing first and second. Frida Karlsson claimed gold, while Ebba Andersson secured silver.

Switzerland rounded out the opening-day gold winners when Franjo von Allmen triumphed in the men’s downhill alpine skiing event. The United States had yet to feature on the medal table by the end of the day.

Canada opened its medal account through Valerie Maltais, who won bronze in the women’s 3000m long track speed skating event. Competing in her fifth Olympic Games, the 35-year-old earned her third career medal and her first individual Olympic medal. Maltais previously won silver in the women’s 3000m relay at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and later captured gold in the team pursuit at Beijing 2022 after transitioning from short track to long track speed skating.

Canada also began its women’s ice hockey campaign with a 4-0 victory over Switzerland. The Canadians scored three goals in the third period, with Natalie Spooner, Sarah Filler, Julia Gosling, and Daryl Watts finding the net. Goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer faced just six shots as Canada outshot Switzerland 55-6.

In other women’s ice hockey results, Germany defeated Japan 5-2, Sweden beat Italy 6-1, the United States blanked Finland 5-0, Switzerland edged Czechia 4-3 in a shootout, Japan defeated France 3-2, the United States beat Czechia 5-1, Italy topped France 4-1, and Sweden defeated Germany 4-1.

In alpine skiing, Jack Crawford led the Canadian men in the downhill, finishing ninth with a time of 1:53.00. Cameron Alexander placed 14th in his Olympic debut, while fellow first-time Olympian Jeffrey Read finished 25th. Brodie Seger placed 28th.

Two Canadians advanced to the final of the women’s ski slopestyle, scheduled for February 9. Megan Oldham finished seventh in qualification, one spot ahead of Naomi Urness. Oldham posted a score of 61.05 on her first run, while Urness recorded 58.40 on her second run. Skye Clarke finished 21st, and Elena Gaskell placed 23rd. Evan McEachran finished 16th in the men’s slopestyle qualification.

In figure skating, Stephen Gogolev recorded a personal-best score of 92.99 in the men’s short program, finishing third in the segment to earn eight points and secure Canada’s place in the team event final. Ice dancers Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha followed with a season-best free dance score of 120.90, also finishing third to add another eight points. Canada sits fourth overall heading into the final day of the team event, with the men’s free program, women’s free program, and pairs free program still to come.

In ski jumping, Abigail Strate and Nicole Maurer advanced to the final of the women’s individual normal hill competition, finishing 11th and 19th, respectively.

Canada’s mixed doubles curling team of Brett Gallant and Jocelyn Peterman suffered a 7-5 loss to Great Britain’s Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat, marking their second straight defeat after opening the competition with a 3-0 record. Canada later fell 8-6 to Estonia, despite rallying after trailing 6-0 in the fourth end. The Canadians now stand at 3-3 in the round robin.

In men’s snowboard big air, Francis Jobin competed in the final despite suffering a dislocated shoulder during practice. After receiving medical treatment, he completed all three runs, posting a combined score of 149.50 from his two best attempts to finish seventh.

The women’s 20 km skiathlon opened competition at the Tesero Cross-Country Stadium. In her Olympic debut, Alison Mackie was the top Canadian finisher in 22nd place. Jasmine Drolet finished 38th, Katherine Stewart-Jones placed 45th, and Amelia Wells finished 50th in a field of 70 competitors.

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