2026 Winter Olympics | Women’s Competition Report
- Brunch League Sports
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Milano Cortina, Italy — Through Early Competition
The 2026 Winter Olympic Games are underway in Italy and the women competing across Nordic skiing, figure skating, and hockey have already provided compelling performances, dramatic results, and memorable moments that reflect the depth of talent and competitive intensity at these Games.
Cross-Country Skiing — Skiathlon Results
The first major women’s medal event came in the 20 km skiathlon — a combined classic and freestyle race that tested both endurance and tactics.
🥇 Frida Karlsson (SWE) powered out front to win the gold medal in commanding fashion. Karlsson surged early in the classic section and never relinquished control in the freestyle portion, finishing nearly a minute ahead of her rivals.
🥈 Ebba Andersson (SWE) completed a Swedish one-two, underscoring Sweden’s strength in distance skiing.
🥉 Heidi Weng (NOR) captured bronze in a competitive field.
American star Jessie Diggins battled back after an early crash to claim a top-eight finish, showcasing grit and resilience on a challenging course. This event set the tone for Nordic competition and highlighted the rising generation of distance skiers.
Figure Skating — Team Event Short Program
Figure skating’s mixed team event began with the women’s short program serving as a pivotal early test for medal contenders.
Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) led the field in the women’s short program, displaying precision and poise under pressur
Alysa Liu (USA) finished second, making an impactful Olympic return after her post-Beijing retirement and recent resurgence on the world stage.
Italy’s Lara Naki Gutmann posted a personal best and took third in the segment, thrilling the home crowd.
Sakamoto’s performance set an early high bar, while Liu’s comeback narrative added emotional depth to the competition. Their results helped position Japan and the United States favorably in the team standings after the opening phase.
Women’s Ice Hockey — Early Group Play
The women’s ice hockey tournament continues to unfold with group stage play delivering exciting action and noteworthy milestones:
The U.S. women recorded convincing victories, including a 5–1 win that featured a historic Olympic debut from Laila Edwards, who became the first Black woman to skate for the United States in Olympic ice hockey and recorded her first point in the win. Edwards’ breakthrough has already become one of the standout stories of the Games.
While final group rankings are still to be determined, the pace of play, competitive parity, and individual achievements strongly indicate that the medal round will be fiercely contested.
Storylines to Watch
Alysa Liu’s Olympic Renaissance
Liu’s second-place short program in the team event signaled a major resurgence. After stepping away from competition following Beijing 2022, she returned with renewed purpose and immediately elevated Team USA’s figure skating prospects.
Sweden’s Nordic Skiing Depth
Sweden’s 1-2 sweep in the skiathlon highlighted the nation’s depth and training system in distance skiing. Karlsson’s decisive victory positions her as a medal favorite in upcoming cross-country events.
Breaking Barriers in Hockey
Laila Edwards’ Olympic presence represents a significant moment in women’s hockey history, inspiring a new generation and adding cultural significance to on-ice results.
Looking Ahead — Women’s Events on the Calendar
As the Games progress, additional women’s medal events approaching include:
Women’s Downhill and Super-G (Alpine Skiing) — speed events where medal hopes remain high for alpine specialists.
Figure Skating — Individual Women’s Short and Free Programs — poised to deliver dramatic competition for Olympic hardware.
Short-Track Speed Skating — 500m & 3000m Relay — high-intensity ice action scheduled later in the program.
Cross-Country Sprint and Relay Events — further tests of speed and teamwork among the world’s best.
Summary
Through the early stages of competition at Milano Cortina 2026, the women athletes have delivered compelling results and moments that highlight elite performance, international rivalries, and individual breakthroughs. From Swedish dominance in Nordic skiing to Olympic milestone moments on the ice, the 2026 Winter Games are already building toward dramatic finales across a wide spectrum of sports.