As the 2026 Winter Olympics unfold in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, the United States Olympic team has yet to secure its first medal. After multiple events and strong performances, Team USA finds itself on the brink of podium finishes across several sports, especially in figure skating and women’s hockey. Here’s the latest on where things stand and what to watch next.
Almost There: Close Calls and Near Misses
Team USA came close to scoring medals early in the Games. In men’s snowboarding big air, American Oliver Martin finished fourth, narrowly missing a podium spot in a crowded final. That result, while frustrating, showed depth and competitiveness in freestyle snowboarding.
In cross-country skiing, veteran Jessie Diggins battled back from a crash to finish eighth in the women’s skiathlon, showcasing resilience even in tough conditions. Her result was one of the best U.S. overall finishes in early competition, and she remains a medal contender in upcoming distance events.
Figure Skating: A Real Medal Threat
The biggest story for Team USA right now is the figure skating team event. The U.S. squad currently leads the standings after athletes delivered strong programs in multiple segments. Skaters like Madison Chock and Evan Bates dominated the ice dance portion, adding critical points that helped keep the United States in front of rivals like Japan and Italy.
In his Olympic debut, rising star Ilia Malinin made headlines with a historic backflip and a solid short program score, contributing to Team USA’s points total. Malinin’s performance, even with a few technical errors, brought energy and optimism to the team’s campaign.
The team event concludes soon, and if the U.S. holds its lead, there’s a strong chance this could deliver the nation’s first medal of the Games. Given that the United States has medaled in every Olympic figure skating team event since its inception, this looks like one of the best opportunities for a first podium spot in Milan.
Women’s Hockey: Dominance Without Hardware (Yet)
The U.S. women’s ice hockey team continues to impress with convincing wins in group play. Captain Hilary Knight tied a U.S. Olympic goal-scoring record, highlighting just how potent this squad can be on offense. While medals in hockey aren’t awarded until the tournament’s final rounds, this team’s form makes them one of the favorites for gold.
What’s Next for Team USA
With the Games still in the early stages, Team USA’s medal prospects remain alive across a range of events:
- Figure Skating: Final segments in the team event and upcoming individual competitions offer multiple medal chances.
- Snowboard and Freestyle Skiing: Big air, slopestyle, and halfpipe finals are coming up, with U.S. athletes among the favorites based on recent World Cup results.
- Speed Skating: Medal opportunities loom in sprint and distance races, particularly with standout skaters like Jordan Stolz likely to contend.
The United States hasn’t broken onto the medal table yet, but the mix of veteran leadership and rising talent means a breakthrough could happen at almost any moment. Keep watching the figure skating team finals this weekend and key snow and ice events later in the week for the first U.S. medals of Milan Cortina 2026.