Team USA Strikes Gold Twice: Figure Skating Team and Breezy Johnson Secure Top Honors at Milan Cortina 2026
Team USA has surged to the top of the podium for the second time in 24 hours at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, validating the “US Wins Again” sentiment sweeping social media. Following a historic victory in alpine skiing, the United States captured the gold medal in the figure skating team event, cementing a dominant showing on Day 2 of the Games.
Figure Skating Team Event Victory
The U.S. figure skating team, anchored by the quad-jumping phenomenon Ilia Malinin, delivered a commanding performance to secure the gold medal. Malinin, skating fourth in the final segment, scored a massive 200.03 points, effectively sealing the victory. He was joined by teammates Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn, Ellie Kam, and Danny O’Shea, who all earned their first Olympic medals. Veteran ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates added a second Olympic gold to their resumes. The team’s collective strength was touted as the best in years, with both U.S. women finishing in the top three of their segments, signaling a potential resurgence in the singles discipline.
Breezy Johnson’s Historic Downhill Win
The “Again” in the victory lap refers to the momentum started earlier by alpine skier Breezy Johnson. Johnson won the United States’ first gold medal of these Games in the women’s downhill at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre. Clocking a time of 1:36.10, Johnson edged out Germany’s Emma Aicher by just 0.04 seconds. Her victory was a triumph of resilience, coming on a day that saw her teammate, the legendary Lindsey Vonn, suffer a career-ending crash after a spun jump on the icy course.
Controversies and Equipment Failures
Despite the celebrations, the wins have not been without significant friction. Figure skater Amber Glenn faces a complex controversy involving copyright law and social backlash. Canadian artist Seb McKinnon, known as CLANN, publicly objected to Glenn using his song “The Return” during her free skate, alleging it was used without permission. McKinnon took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his confusion, stating, “I alone can give the OK to license my music.” This legal headache compounds existing backlash Glenn has faced regarding her outspoken stance on LGBTQ+ rights.
Furthermore, the quality of the medals themselves has come under scrutiny. Both Breezy Johnson and figure skater Alysa Liu reported that their gold medals broke shortly after being awarded. Johnson admitted her medal snapped off its ribbon while she was jumping in excitement, while Liu posted a video of her medal detached from its lanyard. Olympic organizers have stated they are investigating the manufacturing defect with “maximum attention.”
Background and Medal Context
The 2026 Winter Olympics, hosted across Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, mark a significant return to traditional European winter sports venues. Team USA’s double gold on Day 2 places them firmly in the medal race, challenging early leaders like Norway and Italy. The victories also serve as a critical morale booster for the American delegation following the departure of Vonn, whose comeback bid ended in a helicopter evacuation, highlighting the brutal highs and lows of Olympic competition.
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