The 2026 Winter Olympics continued to deliver surprises on Saturday, with historic performances in speedskating and alpine skiing capturing the attention of the world. From Jordan Stolz’s dominant display on the ice to Lucas Pinheiro Braathen’s groundbreaking gold medal win, Day 8 of the Games saw records fall and new ground broken. The United States and Canada also saw success in hockey, while Norway continued its strong showing in cross-country skiing.
After Friday’s stunning result in men’s singles figure skating, the Games continued to defy expectations. A first-ever Winter Olympics gold for a South American nation, a surprising goal against a record-breaking NHL goaltender, and the ongoing quest for gold by a Canadian team all contributed to a day of compelling competition. The 2026 Winter Olympics are proving to be a stage for both established stars and emerging talents.
Stolz Secures Second Gold, Sets Olympic Record in 500m Speedskating
Jordan Stolz of the United States added another gold medal to his tally, winning the men’s 500-meter speedskating event with a blistering time of 33.77 seconds. This victory comes just days after his win in the 1,000m on Wednesday, making him the first man to win both events at the same Olympics since 1980. Stolz’s performance wasn’t just a win; it was a record-breaking one. His time shaved 0.16 seconds off the previous world record of 33.61, set in 2019. NHL.com reports that both silver medalist Jenning de Boo of the Netherlands (33.88) and bronze medalist Laurent Dubreuil of Canada (34.26) also finished under the former Olympic record of 34.32.
Dubreuil, who narrowly missed a medal in the 500m at the 2022 Olympics, remarked on Stolz’s seemingly limitless stamina, stating, “It just seems like he doesn’t get tired. I really don’t understand how that’s possible for somebody.”
Brazil Claims Historic First Winter Olympics Gold
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen etched his name into Olympic history, becoming the first athlete representing a South American country to win a gold medal at the Winter Games. Competing in the men’s giant slalom, Braathen finished with a combined time of 2 minutes, 25 seconds, besting Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt by more than half a second (2:58.58). NBC New York notes that Braathen initially competed for Norway before switching his allegiance to Brazil, where his mother was born.
Braathen established a significant lead in the first run, finishing nearly a second ahead of his competitors. Despite a slower second run – the 11th fastest of the field – his initial advantage proved insurmountable. Odermatt, the defending Olympic champion in the giant slalom, secured his second silver medal of the Milan Cortina Olympics, adding to his bronze in the super-G. While a remarkable achievement, the absence of a gold medal may be seen as a slight disappointment given the expectations surrounding the Swiss skier.
Canada Advances in Women’s Hockey, U.S. Men Secure Win
Marie-Philip Poulin made a triumphant return to the Canadian women’s hockey lineup after a two-game absence due to a knee injury. Poulin scored in Canada’s 5-1 quarterfinal victory over Germany, tying Hockey Hall of Famer Hayley Wickenheiser’s Olympic record with her 18th career Olympic goal. Canada will now face Switzerland, who defeated Finland 1-0, in the semifinals.
The U.S. Men’s hockey team also secured a win, defeating Denmark 6-3 in a game that saw the Americans overcome an early deficit. A surprising goal by Nicholas B. Jensen of Denmark in the first period, which sailed past goalkeeper Jeremy Swayman – who helped the Boston Bruins achieve an NHL-record 65 wins in the 2022-23 season – gave Denmark a temporary lead. However, the U.S. Team rallied to secure the victory and will head into Sunday’s final preliminary-round game with a 2-0 record. CBC Sports detailed the game’s progression.
Other Highlights from Day 8
Norway continued its dominance in cross-country skiing, winning the women’s 4×7.5-kilometer relay by a significant margin, defeating Sweden by over 50 seconds. Slovenia’s Domen Prevc secured his second gold medal of the Games in the men’s large hill ski jumping event, following his earlier victory in the mixed normal hill team event.
As the Olympic Winter Games progress, the competition continues to intensify. With several events still to come, athletes are vying for a chance to etch their names in Olympic history. The coming days promise more thrilling moments and unexpected outcomes as the world’s best winter athletes compete for glory in Milan Cortina.
Stay tuned for further updates and analysis as the 2026 Winter Olympics unfold. Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
