The seventh day of competition at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics delivered drama across seven medal events, featuring record-equaling performances, breakthrough victories, and unexpected setbacks that reshaped the medal race.

Norway’s Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo emerged as one of the defining figures of the Games. With victory in the men’s 10km free, the 29-year-old secured his eighth Olympic gold medal, tying the Winter Olympic record. He now shares that mark with fellow Norwegians Bjørn Dæhlie, Marit Bjørgen, and Ole Einar Bjørndalen. Klaebo became the second athlete at Milano Cortina 2026, after Switzerland’s Franjo van Allmen, to complete a hat-trick of gold medals in this edition of the Games.

Klaebo finished in 20:36.2, ahead of France’s Mathis Desloges (20:41.1) and Norway’s Einar Hedegart (20:50.2). With three events remaining in the men’s relay, team sprint, and 50km marathon, he remains in contention to become the most decorated Winter Olympian in history.

France’s Quentin Fillon Maillet also strengthened his legacy, claiming gold in the men’s 10km biathlon sprint in 22:53.1. The victory marked his second gold of these Games and his seventh career Olympic biathlon medal, making him the joint most decorated French Winter Olympian. 

Norway’s Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen (23:06.8) and Sturla Holm Laegreid (23:09.0) took silver and bronze. All three medalists hit all 10 targets.

At the close of Day 7, Norway continued to lead the medal standings with 18 medals, including eight golds. Host nation Italy matched Norway’s overall tally of 18 but trailed by two gold medals. The United States remained third with 14 medals, including four gold, followed by France with 10 medals and four gold. Germany stood fifth with 11 medals, also with four gold. 

Great Britain and Kazakhstan joined the list of gold-winning nations, bringing the total number of medal-winning countries to 23, with 16 securing at least one gold. Canada remained without a gold medal, holding steady at seven total medals.

Australia’s Josie Baff captured her nation’s first medal of the Games with gold in women’s snowboard cross, finishing ahead of Czechia’s Eva Adamczyková and Italy’s Michela Moioli. Adamczyková, the Sochi 2014 champion, became the first snowboard athlete to reach the Olympic podium three times.

In speed skating, Czechia’s 19-year-old Metoděj Jílek added the men’s 10,000m gold in 12:33.43 to the 5,000m silver he earned earlier in the week. He finished ahead of Vladimir Semirunniy (12:39.08) and Dutch skater Jorrit Bergsma (12:40.48).

Japan’s Totsuka Yuto claimed gold in the snowboard halfpipe with a second-run score of 95.00. Australia’s Scotty James earned silver with 93.50 after landing one clean run in the three-run final, while Japan’s Yamada Ryusei secured bronze with 92.00.

In men’s skeleton, Great Britain’s Matt Weston delivered a commanding performance, setting a track record in each of his four heats to win gold in 3:43.44. Germany’s Axel Jungk (3:44.21) and defending champion Christopher Grotheer (3:44.40) took silver and bronze. Weston became the first British man to win an individual gold medal at a Winter Games since Robin Cousins at Lake Placid 1980.

One of the day’s biggest surprises came in men’s figure skating. American Ilia Malinin, widely regarded as the favorite, struggled in his free skate and finished eighth overall. Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov won gold with a total score of 291.58, securing his nation’s first Olympic figure skating title. Japan’s Kagiyama Yuma (280.06) and Sato Shun (274.90) claimed silver and bronze.

In men’s ice hockey, Finland defeated Sweden 4-1, Slovakia edged Italy 3-2, Czechia beat France 6-3, Canada topped Switzerland 5-1, and the United States defeated Italy 6-0. In the women’s competition, Sweden beat Czechia 2-0.

In men’s curling, Canada defeated the United States 6-3 and Sweden 8-6, Italy beat Great Britain 9-7, Norway overcame China 8-6 and Czechia 7-4, Switzerland defeated Czechia 7-3 and China 9-7, and Germany edged Italy 6-5. In women’s curling, Sweden beat Denmark 6-5, Switzerland defeated China 7-5, the United States edged Canada 9-8, and Korea defeated Great Britain 9-3.

With record performances, emerging champions, and unexpected upsets, Day 7 reinforced the unpredictability and competitive depth of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

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