Italian athletes shine on day four of the Milano‑Cortina Winter Games
On Feb. 10, Italy’s mixed short‑track relay team captured gold, moving up from the silver medal it won in Beijing in 2022. The quartet—team captain and record‑holding skater Ari Arianna Fontana, bronze‑medalist Pietro Sighel, Thomas Nadalini, Elisa Confortola, Luca Spechenhauser and Chiara Betti—topped the podium ahead of Canada and Belgium. China, the 2022 gold‑medalist, finished fourth.
Fontana’s victory marked her 12th Olympic medal, the most ever by an Italian athlete and her sixth Games appearance, tying the record set by long‑track legend Enrico Zoeggeler. In curling, Italy added a bronze when Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner edged Great Britain 5‑4. The nation’s hopes in the men’s biathlon and the women’s alpine combined team were dashed after Sofia Goggia fell during the downhill segment.
Yesterday’s results were less rewarding for Italy. The men’s alpine combined saw Alex Vinatzer lose Giovanni Franzoni’s lead, finishing seventh, while Tommaso Sala held onto fifth place behind Dominik Paris. In women’s ice hockey, Italy upset Japan to reach the quarterfinals.
For a full rundown of today’s schedule, see the Italian athletes’ program for Feb. 10.
Italy’s men’s hockey captain looks ahead to the Sweden showdown
“We’ve been waiting seven years for this moment, and we can’t wait any longer,” said Thomas Larkin, captain of Italy’s men’s ice‑hockey team, ahead of tomorrow’s opening match against Sweden.
“We arrived in Milan on Thursday, giving us time to process the excitement from the opening ceremony at San Siro,” Larkin added. “Playing Sweden on home ice with a packed arena will be unforgettable.”
Short‑track relay: “Earned and sweaty”
“Earned,” said Luca Spechenhauser, smiling. “We’ve worked hard and this medal rewards every sacrifice.” Thomas Nadalini called the victory “epic,” adding that winning gold at home felt “even bigger than a dream.” Elisa Confortola described the effort as “sweaty,” noting both the years of training and the heat outside. Chiara Betti called the win “indescribable,” saying no one imagined an Olympic gold on home ice.
Betti also praised Fontana, saying, “She’s an inspiration. I always attempt to seize her advice and follow her track.”
Italy medals in eight sports, matching Beijing 2022
With today’s gold in short‑track and bronze in curling, Italy has now earned medals in eight different disciplines, tying its 2022 record.
Mixed curling pair takes bronze
Italy captures bronze in mixed curling
Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner edged Great Britain 5‑4 to claim the bronze medal, adding a second curling podium finish after the Beijing gold.
Fontana reflects on a two‑decade Olympic journey
“If I could travel back to Turin 2006, I never imagined I’d still be here 20 years later,” Fontana said. “I’ve won everything I set out to win, but being here now feels like a celebration.” She added that she slept soundly before the race and was “happy and proud of every decision” that led to her 12th Olympic medal.
Constantini and Mosaner battle for bronze
Italy leads Great Britain 3‑2 after the fifth finish and will throw the hammer in the sixth.
©Ansa
Valtellina celebrates Fontana’s gold
Friends and officials in Berbenno, Valtellina, rang church bells after Fontana’s mixed‑relay gold. “It’s a huge pride for our town and Italy,” said Mayor Valerio Fumasoni. Fans, including a local youth club, gathered to cheer the 12‑time Olympian.
Biathlon: Giacomel finishes sixth
Italy’s Tommaso Giacomel placed sixth in the 20 km race after shooting errors. The podium was topped by Norway’s Johan Olav Botn, with France’s Eric Perrot and Norway’s Sturla Holm Laegreid earning silver and bronze.
Women’s alpine combined: Austria takes gold, Shifrin off podium
Austrian duo Ariane Raedler and Katharina Huber won gold. Germany claimed silver, the United States bronze. Italy’s Nicol Delago and Anna Rocker finished 10th.
Swedish sweep in women’s classic‑technique sprint
Linn Svahn took gold, Jonna Sundling silver and Maja Dahlqvist bronze. Italy’s Federica Cassol and Caterina Ganz missed the semifinals.
Mixed curling bronze match begins: Italy vs. Great Britain
Italy’s Constantini and Mosaner faced Great Britain in a bout for the bronze medal.
Klaebo wins second gold in men’s sprint
Norwegian Johannes Klaebo claimed his second sprint gold on the Lago di Tesero track. He finished ahead of American Ben Ogden and fellow Norwegian Oskar Opstad Vike.
Italy’s short‑track relay clinches gold
Italy captured gold in the mixed short‑track relay, with Fontana becoming the most‑medaled Italian Winter Olympian (12 medals). Canada took silver, Belgium bronze.
Police probe six people over Corvetto clashes
Investigators are identifying three women and three youths linked to recent anti‑Olympic protests in Milan’s Corvetto district.
U.S. Skiers lead women’s downhill combo
American Breezy Johnson won the downhill segment, followed closely by Austria’s Ariane Raedler and Italy’s Laura Pirovano.
Goggia on the Super‑G and the President’s visit
After a fall in the downhill pair, Sofia Goggia said she will focus on Thursday’s Super‑G, where President Sergio Mattarella will be in attendance. “It’s an honor to have the President watch our effort,” she said.
Lombardy governor says Milan‑Cortina matches Paris exposure
Attilio Fontana told reporters that the Games are delivering exposure comparable to the Paris Olympics and that tourism will benefit from the global spotlight.
Sprint freestyle: Mocellin makes semifinals
Simone Mocellin won his quarter‑final in 3:31.03 and advanced, while Federico Pellegrino posted a strong third‑place finish in his heat.
UN chief applauds Italy’s Olympic spirit
UN Assembly President Annalena Baerbock praised Italy’s dedication to peace during the opening ceremony, calling the Games a showcase of unity.
Pirovano hopes to entertain President Mattarella
Laura Pirovano said she looks forward to a “good track” in Thursday’s Super‑G and hopes the President enjoys the competition.
Short‑track mixed relay reaches final
Italy qualified for the final with a time of 2:37.50, ahead of China, the Netherlands and France. The team will race Canada, China and Belgium for the medals.
Pirovano backs teammate Peterlini for slalom
Laura Pirovano expressed confidence in fellow skier Martina Peterlini ahead of the slalom run.
Ganz secures spot in freestyle semifinals
Caterina Ganz finished second in her quarter‑final and progressed to the semifinals.
Cortina mayor says Games are writing history
Mayor Gianluca Lorenzi highlighted the successful opening of venues and the surge of visitors four days after the opening ceremony.
Tourism minister warns against anti‑Olympic criticism
Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè said criticism of the Games harms Italy’s image and urged citizens to support the national team.
Medal repairs underway after lanyard failures
The organizing committee, working with the State Mint, is repairing medals whose lanyards broke, and athletes are asked to return them for restoration.
Short‑track 500 m: Fontana and Betti advance, Sighel crashes
Arianna Fontana and Chiara Betti qualified for the quarterfinals. teammate Pietro Sighel fell.
Goggia falls in alpine combined downhill
Sofia Goggia slipped on the Scarpadon turn and was unable to finish the combined downhill, ending Italy’s medal hopes in that event.
©Ansa
Snowboard star Kim calls for compassion
Two‑time Olympic champion Chloe Kim urged unity and compassion amid criticism of U.S. Athletes, referencing her immigrant background.
Four Italian women advance in freestyle sprint
Nicole Monsorno, Caterina Ganz, Federica Cassol and Iris De Martin Pinter all qualified for the quarterfinals.
U.S. Team honors Vonn as a legend
The U.S. Ski & Snowboard team posted a tribute to Lindsey Vonn after her injury.
Winter Games boost Italian ski tourism
Nearly nine million Italians plan a ski vacation in the first quarter of 2026, a modest rise over last year, according to Confturismo and Swg.
Sinner sends thoughts to Vonn
Jannik Sinner posted “Thinking of you, Lindsey Vonn” on Instagram alongside a photo of the two on a snowy slope.
Anarchist blog claims train‑bomb sabotage
The blog La Nemesi announced sabotage of a railway near Pesaro, describing the act as a protest against the Olympics.
Broken medals prompt investigation
Several medals, including Breezy Johnson’s gold, suffered lanyard failures shortly after the ceremony. Organizers are investigating the cause.
Italy counts nine medals as Games progress
Since the opening ceremony on Feb. 6, Italy has earned nine medals across 16 sports, aiming to surpass its record of seven golds from Lillehammer 1994.
Ukrainian skeleton athlete barred from wearing tribute helmet
Vladyslav Heraskevych said the International Olympic Committee prohibited his helmet honoring fallen Ukrainian athletes.
Today’s Italian schedule at Milano‑Cortina
Arianna Fontana competes in the 500 m short‑track heats, while Federico Pellegrino races the cross‑country sprint. The mixed curling duo of Mosaner and Constantini contests the bronze medal.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More