2026 Olympics: Shiffrin Struggles, USA Hockey Advances!

The narrative at the 2026 Winter Olympics is rapidly solidifying: American dominance, long assumed, is being seriously challenged. Day nine in Milano-Cortina delivered another wave of disappointments for the U.S. team, punctuated by continued struggles for established stars and a shifting global power dynamic in several key events. While the men’s hockey team provided a bright spot, the overall trend suggests a need for a serious reassessment of American winter sports programs.

The struggles of Shiffrin are particularly noteworthy. Widely considered the greatest slalom skier of all time, her Olympic record remains surprisingly thin. Seven World Cup wins this season demonstrate her current form, yet the pressure of the Games – and perhaps a rising field of competitors – seems to be impacting her performance. This isn’t a new phenomenon; Shiffrin has consistently faced challenges translating World Cup success to Olympic gold. The giant slalom result, an 11th-place finish, underscores this issue. The context here is crucial: the level of competition in women’s alpine skiing has demonstrably increased in recent years, with athletes from Italy, Sweden, and Norway consistently challenging for podium positions.

Erin Jackson’s fifth-place finish in the 500m speedskating event was equally heartbreaking. Just fractions of a second separated her from a medal, a testament to the razor-thin margins at this level. Jackson, a flag bearer for the U.S., carried significant expectations, and her near miss adds to the growing sense of frustration within the American contingent. The Dutch continue to dominate speedskating, showcasing a sustained investment in training facilities and athlete development that the U.S. has struggled to match.

However, the American men’s hockey team offered a much-needed boost. Their 5-1 victory over Germany secured the No. 2 seed and a bye into the quarterfinals. Captain Auston Matthews’ strong performance, coupled with solid goaltending from Connor Hellebuyck, signals that the U.S. is a legitimate contender for a medal. The team’s upcoming quarterfinal matchup, likely against Sweden (pending Latvia’s qualification playoff result), will be a significant test.

Elsewhere, Norwegian cross-country skier Johannes Høsflot Klæbo continues his historic run, winning his fourth gold medal and setting his sights on potentially breaking the all-time record for golds at a single Winter Games. Canada also secured its first gold of the Games with Mikaël Kingsbury’s victory in the inaugural men’s dual moguls competition, a fitting moment for a freestyle skiing legend potentially competing in his final Olympics. Great Britain also enjoyed a successful day, securing gold in both the mixed skeleton and mixed team snowboard cross events.

The Forward Look

The coming days will be critical for the U.S. team. Shiffrin has one final chance to medal in the women’s slalom on Wednesday, a race she will undoubtedly approach with immense pressure. The performance of the U.S. hockey team in the quarterfinals will also be closely watched. Beyond these immediate events, however, the broader implications of these early results are significant. Expect a post-Games review of American winter sports funding and training programs. The consistent underperformance of traditionally strong athletes suggests a need for increased investment in athlete development, improved coaching, and a more comprehensive approach to identifying and nurturing talent. The rise of Italy, Norway, and other nations signals a changing landscape in winter sports, and the U.S. must adapt to remain competitive. The question isn’t just about individual performances anymore; it’s about the long-term health and future of American winter sports.