The Winter Olympics 2026 is heating up with day eight bringing intense competition and medal hopes! But here's where it gets controversial... Will the host nation, Italy, secure its first gold in the women's dual moguls freestyle skiing? Or will Brazil make history with Lucas Pinheiro Braathen's pursuit of their first Winter Olympic medal?
Live Reporting:
The day starts with a nail-biting curling match as Team GB's women's team faces the world champions, Canada. The men's rink will also take on the Czech Republic, aiming for victory.
Men's Giant Slalom:
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, the 25-year-old Brazilian sensation, sets the pace with an incredible time of 1:13.92 in the first run. The discipline consists of two courses, with the top 30 advancing to the second course, and combined times determining the final standings.
USA's River Radamus, a Beijing Games fourth-place finisher, couldn't match Braathen's pace, finishing 2.46 seconds behind. Austria's Stefan Brennsteiner, a World Cup giant slalom winner, also fell short, while Italy's Alex Vinatzer, cheered by the home crowd, managed 10th place.
Curling Controversy:
Canada and Sweden's men's curling match turned heated as the Swedes accused a Canadian player of double-touching stones. Tempers flared, and a heated exchange ensued. Canadian player Marc Kennedy defended himself, saying, "I don't like being accused of cheating... So I told him [Sweden's Oskar Eriksson] where to stick it."
Canada won 8-6, leaving the 2022 gold medalists, Sweden, winless in their first three games.
Freestyle Skiing:
Britain's Makayla Gerken Schofield, 26, is one to watch in the women's dual moguls. Despite not qualifying for the moguls earlier, she excels in dual moguls, with two European Cup wins and a World Cup bronze to her name.
Dual Moguls Explained:
The dual moguls differ from regular moguls, with skiers navigating a bumpy slope with two jumps while competing side-by-side on adjacent courses. The athlete with the highest score advances through rounds of 32, 16, and then quarter-finals.
Alpine Skiing:
Switzerland's Marco Odermatt, the gold favorite, finished second with a time of 1:14.87, just 0.95 seconds behind Braathen. Norway's Henrik Kristofferson, the nation's most successful skier, is in his last Winter Olympics, aiming for his first gold.
Curling Drama:
Team GB's Rebecca Morrison expressed frustration in her matches, admitting to swearing while mic'd up. She aims to control her emotions and stay focused for the competition.
Odermatt's Medal Hunt:
Defending champion Marco Odermatt seeks his third Olympic medal, having already won team combined silver and Super-G bronze. Austria's Raphael Haaser, the world champion, and Norway's Henrik Kristofferson are among the contenders.
Men's Giant Slalom Update:
The first runs of the men's giant slalom are underway at the Stelvio Ski Centre in Bormio. The event consists of two giant slalom runs over two courses on the same slope, with skiers navigating gates. Only the top 30 athletes advance to the second run, and combined times determine the podium.
Day Eight Schedule:
- 09:30-11:05 - Women's dual moguls
- 11:00-13:00 - Women's cross-country relay
- 09:00-14:20 - Men's giant slalom
- 13:00-14:35 - Women's biathlon 7.5k sprint
- 15:00-17:05 - Women's speed skating team pursuit
- 17:00-19:50 - Women's skeleton
- 17:45-20:05 - Men's ski jumping large hill
- 19:15-22:10 - Women's short track 3000m relay
Curling Update:
Team GB's women's curling team, led by Rebecca Morrison, is dominating Canada, currently leading 4-1. Morrison's rink is showcasing their skills, leaving the highly-ranked Canadian team searching for answers.
Men's Skeleton:
Matt Weston, the Olympic champion, is a strong contender for the gold.
Yesterday's Recap:
In women's curling, Team GB defeated Canada 3-1, showcasing the intense rivalry between the nations. Jackie Lockhart, a four-time Olympic curler, commented on the teams' passion and the crowd's enthusiasm.
Curling Recap:
Team GB's women's curling team is performing exceptionally well against medal contenders, leading 3-1 after three ends. They aim to maintain their shape and secure a crucial victory.
Stay tuned as the Winter Olympics 2026 continues to deliver thrilling moments and medal dreams. Will Italy's home advantage pay off? Can Brazil make history? And who will emerge as the champions in curling and men's giant slalom? Share your predictions and thoughts in the comments below!
