The sixth day of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games delivered a masterclass in emotional extremes. From a changing of the guard in the halfpipe to a legal battle on the sliding track, the day was defined by athletes pushing past physical and political boundaries.
Choi Gaon Stuns with Halfpipe Gold, Edging Out Mentor Chloe Kim
In a cinematic turn of events, 17-year-old Choi Gaon of South Korea captured the gold medal in the women’s snowboard halfpipe. It was a historic victory, marking the first-ever snow sports gold for a female Korean athlete.
The narrative seemed set for American icon Chloe Kim to secure a historic “three-peat.” Kim led early with a strong 88.00 opening run, but uncharacteristic falls in her subsequent attempts left the door open. Choi, who suffered a frightening crash in her first run that required medical attention, staged a miraculous comeback.
Her final run was a technical marvel, featuring:
- High-amplitude backside 900s
- Flawless frontside 720s
- A final score of 90.25
Despite losing her crown, Kim—who took home the silver—was the first to embrace Choi. The two share a deep bond, having trained together at Mammoth Mountain. Kim referred to Choi as her “baby,” noting the pride of seeing her protégé reach the pinnacle of the sport. Japan’s Mitsuki Ono rounded out the podium with the bronze.
Ukrainian Skeleton Athlete Appeals IOC Disqualification
The Games faced political friction as Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from his first heat. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) cited a violation of “anti-messaging” rules regarding Heraskevych’s “Helmet of Memory,” which features images of Ukrainian athletes killed during the Russian invasion.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry maintained that the “field of play” must remain neutral. In response, Heraskevych has filed an urgent appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
- The Goal: A fast-tracked decision to allow him to compete in the final runs on Friday night.
- The Conflict: Heraskevych argues the helmet is a gesture of solidarity, not a political violation, and is seeking to have his Olympic accreditation reinstated.
Team USA Hockey Dominates Latvia After Slow Start
On the ice, the U.S. Men’s Hockey team secured a convincing 5-1 win over Latvia. While the first period was marred by two overturned goals, the Americans found their rhythm in the second.
Key Performances:
- Brock Nelson: Scored twice in his Olympic debut.
- NHL Stars: Auston Matthews, Brady Tkachuk, and Tage Thompson each added a goal to the tally.
The U.S. now looks ahead to a matchup with Denmark as they chase their first gold medal since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.” Meanwhile, Team Canada remains a force to be watched, coming off a 5-0 shutout against the Czech Republic.
Record-Breaking Speed: Xandra Velzeboer’s Golden Sprint
The Milano Ice Skating Arena witnessed history as Dutch sensation Xandra Velzeboer dominated the 500m short track.
- The Record: In the semifinals, Velzeboer clocked a blistering 41.399 seconds, breaking her own world record.
- The Gold: She followed up with a 41.609-second final to take the top spot.
- The Legend: Silver medalist Arianna Fontana of Italy made history of her own, earning her 13th Olympic medal—furthering her status as the most decorated short track skater of all time.
