The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina deliver the first full medal day on Saturday, February 7, right after the Opening Ceremony on February 6 at San Siro Stadium in Milan. Preliminary competitions (curling, luge training, women’s ice hockey, etc.) started as early as February 4, but February 7 marks the debut of gold medals in five sports: alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, ski jumping, snowboarding, and speed skating.
This preview highlights the marquee events, favorites, Team USA and Canada hopes, and live tracking—perfect for building predictions or brackets on SportsBrackets.net.
First Medals: Overview of February 7 Winter Olympics 2026
The first medals awarded in these key Winter Olympic events (times approximate in ET; local Central European Time is 6 hours ahead (always double check the times):
- Alpine Skiing: Men’s Downhill (around 5:30 a.m. ET at Bormio) – The classic high-speed opener.
- Cross-Country Skiing: Women’s Skiathlon (pursuit format blending classic and skate technique).
- Ski Jumping: Women’s Normal Hill Individual (trial round ~11:45 a.m. local / early ET; finals follow, wrapping by late afternoon ET at Predazzo).
- Snowboarding: Men’s Big Air.
- Speed Skating: Women’s 3,000m.
Key Event: Ski Jumping – Women’s Normal Hill Individual
Women’s ski jumping showcases precision, distance, and style under pressure, with the normal hill event providing an early spotlight.
- When: February 7 – Trial round around 11:45 a.m. local (early ET), 1st round ~12:45 p.m. local, final round ~1:57 p.m. local.
- Venue: Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium (“Giuseppe Dal Ben” Arena) in Val di Fiemme.
- Format: Trial jumps, then two scored rounds (distance + style points from judges; wind can influence results).
- Favorites:
- Norway, Germany, Slovenia, and Japan lead based on World Cup form.
- Standouts include Nika Prevc (Slovenia) and Ema Klinec (consistent jumper). Norway’s team depth often secures multiple medals.
- US/Canada Hopes:
- Team USA — Anna Hoffmann, Josie Johnson, or others target top-20 finishes and personal records in a growing field.
- Canada — Mackenzie Boyd-Clowes or Abigail Strate bring experience; aim for strong performances to build toward team events.
Biathlon Mixed Relay Preview (Sunday, February 8)
The Biathlon Mixed Relay (4x6km) isn’t on February 7 but arrives immediately after as a thrilling team event (two women, two men; 6km legs with prone/standing shooting—misses mean penalty loops).
- When: February 8, around 6:05 a.m. ET (or similar early slot).
- Venue: Anterselva Biathlon Arena in South Tyrol.
- Favorites:
- France — Dominant with Lou Jeanmonnot and Justine Braisaz-Bouchet.
- Sweden — Oeberg sisters (Hanna and Elvira) excel in shooting and speed.
- Italy — Home boost via Lisa Vittozzi and Dorothea Wierer.
- Norway — Consistent Nordic power.
- US/Canada Hopes:
- Team USA — Deedra Irwin (strong all-around) and Sean Doherty position for top-10 potential or surprises.
- Canada — Mid-pack contenders; shooting consistency could elevate results.
Biathlon’s unpredictability shines in brackets—model scenarios with your Moneyline or Over Under tools!
US and Canada Medal Hopes on Opening Medal Day
- Alpine Skiing (Men’s Downhill): USA’s Ryan Cochran-Siegle (2022 Super-G silver) eyes a podium; Canada has speed-event depth.
- Ski Jumping: North America prioritizes competitive showings and momentum for later formats.
- Overall: Norway leads early Nordic projections, but USA targets multi-sport strength (skiing, skating). Canada seeks solid top finishes across disciplines.
Live Updates & How to Follow
Real-time medals, results, and stories:
- Official site: olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026 (schedule, live results, streams).
- NBC/Peacock (U.S.): Full coverage, primetime highlights, on-demand.
- Team USA: teamusa.com/milano-cortina-2026 for athlete news and trackers.
February 7 ignites the medal race with speed, precision, and excitement—setting the tone for the Games. Dive in and use SportsBrackets.net tools to predict first golds!
Resources
- Related SportsBrackets.net Articles:
- 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony: Full Details, How to Watch, Performers, Parade of Nations & Printable Program – Milano Cortina Games Kick Off February 6
- 2026 Winter Olympics Live Updates & Results Tracker
- 2026 Winter Olympics Schedule: Full Day-by-Day Calendar & Printable PDF
- 2026 Winter Olympics TV Schedule & How to Watch Guide
- Olympics Hub: Schedules, Printables, Brackets & Guides
- Printable 2026 Olympic Hockey Schedule & Bracket
- Parlay Builder Tool for the Olympics and Super Bowl
