Key events
OK, I’ve got the qualifying of the sprint ski mountaineering on – a new event, as per the below – and they’re currently … running up stairs? I think, this time around, I’m enjoying the straight races – your biathlons and cross-countries of this world – events with everyone out together, and with the winner obvious to anyone.
I wonder if either Switzerland or Canada considered taking a view. Of course their competitive integrity would prevent them from so doing, but they’ll have seen how well GB played in caning USA, and deemed it best for all concerned if they were to go out.
Good news ands bad news from the sheet: Switzerland lead Italy 3-1 playing the fifth, but Norway lead Canada 5-4 on the fourth.
Preamble
Buongiorno a tutti e benvenuti alle Olimpiadi invernali 2026 – tredicesimo giorno!
No gentle easing into this one: already under way are the final matches in the men’s curling pool, with GB needing either first-placed Switzerland sort out Italy or second-placed Canada to deal with Norway. If one of those two things happens, Bruce Mouat and lads are into the knockouts – and from there, who knows?
And at lunchtime, the women get going, GB needing to handle Italy with second-placed Switzerland nailing third-placed USA. That happens, they’d also be into the last four.
In between times, we’ve men’s and women’s sprint ski mountaineering – debut event, heats, semi and final – in which we need to watch out for Emily Harrop, French with British parents, who’s favourite. Then there’s the men’s team Nordic combined, both ski jumping and cross-country, along with men’s halfpipe quallies so, plenty to keep us going.
Then, this afternoon, we’ve the Sweden v Switzerland for the bronze medal in the women’s ice hockey and the 1500m final in the men’s speed skating, before all manner of evening behaviour – starting with the free program of the women’s singles figure skating.
Roundabout the same time, Switzerland and Canada take on two of GB, Norway and Italy in the men’s curling semis, while USA meet Canada in the final of the women’s hockey – there might be rancour – with the women’s halfpipe also getting going. That one features Zoe Atkin – a serious medal prospect whose sister Isabel took bronze in the 2018 slopestyle – but Eileen Gu, defending champ and double silver medalist in the big air and slopestyle, is one of various hunting the gold.
Esattamente! Andiamo!