Winter Olympics Highlights
Milan (AP) — As the Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina reach their tenth day, the spotlight is on Eileen Gu, who is gearing up to defend her title in the big air ski freestyle event.
Emotional Moments in Alpine Skiing
The sentiment surrounding the games took a touching turn during the men’s Alpine skiing competition, where a poignant moment overshadowed the final event. Notably, the men’s slalom race ended dramatically when Norway’s Atle Lie McGrath, who was in the lead during his second run, straddled a gate, causing him to be disqualified. Overcome by emotion, McGrath discarded his ski poles over a fence and walked into the snowy forest for some solitude.
This incident detracted from Switzerland’s Loic Meillard, who seized the gold medal in that race, while Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, who had made history as South America’s first giant slalom winner, also faced disappointment after an earlier fall.
McGrath’s participation in the Olympics has been particularly challenging, marked by the recent death of his grandfather, an event that deeply affected him as he raced wearing a commemorative armband.
Eileen Gu’s Quest for Medals
Meanwhile, Eileen Gu, competing for China, aims to add to her medal tally after placing second in qualifying for the big air event, where she will face competitor Mathilde Gremaud, who previously defeated her in the slopestyle finals. Gu is also set to participate in the halfpipe event later in the Games.
Other Olympic News
In other Olympic news, Xandra Velzeboer captured her second gold medal in women’s 1,000-meter short track speedskating, now matching her Dutch teammate Jens van ’t Wout. Meanwhile, Italy’s Arianna Fontana narrowly missed out on what would have been her 14th Olympic medal, finishing fourth in her event.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, the U.S. women’s hockey team remains undefeated and is set to face Sweden, aiming for the gold medal game for the fifth consecutive Olympics. Canada will be competing against Switzerland in a similar matchup.
Additionally, the figure skating pairs event will progress to its free skate phase, with Germany’s Minerva Hase and Nikita Volodin currently in the lead after the short program. Medals will also be contested in women’s monobob and the men’s super team ski jumping events soon.
