Team USA Secures Critical Victories on Day 9 of Milano Cortina Winter Olympics
In a decisive showing at the 2026 Winter Games in Milano Cortina, Team USA’s curling squads delivered back-to-back victories on Sunday, providing a much-needed boost to the American medal campaign as the second week of competition heats up. The wins, highlighted by the men’s tactical dismantling of powerhouse Sweden and the women’s thrilling comeback against China, underscore the resilience of the American delegation despite setbacks elsewhere on the slopes.
The U.S. men’s curling team faced a formidable challenge against Sweden, a perennial contender in the sport. Executing a strategy built on defensive precision and opportunistic scoring in the later ends, the Americans secured an 8-5 victory. This win not only solidifies their standing in the round-robin phase but also serves as a statement game against one of the tournament favorites. Simultaneously, the women’s team rallied from an early deficit to edge out China 6-5, a gritty performance that keeps their medal hopes alive in a crowded field.
From a tactical perspective, these victories are pivotal. Beating Sweden provides the men’s team with a crucial tie-breaker advantage and psychological momentum heading into the final stretch of preliminary play. For the women, the ability to grind out a one-point win against a disciplined Chinese squad demonstrates the composure necessary for medal-round contention. Analysts note that while the Americans have struggled with consistency in the early draws, Sunday’s performance suggests they are peaking at the right time.
However, the day was not without its disappointments. The optimism surrounding the curling wins was tempered by continued struggles in alpine skiing. Mikaela Shiffrin, the most decorated alpine skier in history, finished 11th in the Giant Slalom, extending her medal drought at these Games. Critics have raised concerns about the alpine team’s preparation and execution on the challenging Italian courses, noting that the expected gold rush from the ski slopes has yet to materialize. With Shiffrin now 0-for-2 in her signature events, pressure is mounting on the coaching staff and athletes to salvage the alpine program’s reputation in the remaining races.
As the sun sets on Day 9, Team USA holds steady with 5 gold medals and 17 total, trailing the dominant Norwegian team, which has surged to 11 golds. The focus now shifts to the ice hockey rink, where the U.S. men are set to face Germany in a preliminary round clash later this afternoon, and to the bobsleigh track, where reigning champion Kaillie Humphries begins her defense in the monobob event. With the halfway point of the Games approaching, every win—like those secured on the curling sheet today—becomes vital in the race for the podium.
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