Historic Silver in Mixed Doubles Curling (Image Credits: Upload.wikimedia.org)
Milan Cortina, Italy – American competitors claimed five medals across diverse disciplines on day four of the 2026 Winter Olympics, elevating the United States to third place in the overall standings.[1][2]
Historic Silver in Mixed Doubles Curling
Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse etched their names in Olympic history by securing silver in mixed doubles curling, the first medal ever for the U.S. in the event.
The pair fell to Sweden’s Rasmus and Isabella Wranå in a tight 6-5 gold-medal match. Thiesse became the first American woman to medal in Olympic curling. Dropkin reflected afterward, “This week’s been a dream… We’re Olympic silver medalists.”[2]
Thiesse noted the narrow margin for gold: “We just needed to be a little bit sharper.”
Cross-Country Skiing Ends Long Drought
Ben Ogden delivered silver in the men’s sprint classic final, snapping a 50-year U.S. medal drought in cross-country skiing.[1]
Norway’s Johannes Høsflot Klæbo claimed gold, but Ogden’s podium finish marked the first American medal in the discipline since Bill Koch in 1976. The achievement highlighted growing depth in a traditionally challenging sport for the U.S.
Alex Hall added another silver in men’s freeski slopestyle, his fourth career Olympic medal though he could not defend his Beijing gold. Norway’s Birk Ruud took the top spot.
Bronze Medals Light Up Luge and Alpine Skiing
Ashley Farquharson earned bronze in women’s singles luge with a strong final run, becoming only the second American woman to medal in the event.[2]
Germany’s Julia Taubitz won gold ahead of Latvia’s Elina Bota in silver. Farquharson’s performance added momentum to U.S. sliding sports.
In the debut women’s team combined alpine event, Jacqueline Wiles and Paula Moltzan grabbed bronze. Austria earned gold, while the U.S. duo overcame earlier disappointments. Wiles called the moment “insane,” adding that a prior fourth-place finish had been heartbreaking. Moltzan shared, “To share it with Jackie is probably the most special moment of my life.”[2]
Key Medals at a Glance
- Silver: Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse (mixed doubles curling)
- Silver: Ben Ogden (men’s sprint classic cross-country skiing)
- Silver: Alex Hall (men’s freeski slopestyle)
- Bronze: Ashley Farquharson (women’s singles luge)
- Bronze: Jacqueline Wiles and Paula Moltzan (women’s team combined alpine skiing)
Rising in the Standings
The haul brought Team USA’s total to 10 medals: three gold, five silver, and two bronze. Norway led with 13 medals, including seven gold, while host Italy held second with 11.[3]
Earlier successes included Breezy Johnson’s gold in women’s downhill and the figure skating team’s triumph. These day-four results signaled resilience and versatility as competitions intensified.
Key Takeaways:
- First U.S. medals in mixed doubles curling and cross-country sprint in decades.
- Three silvers and two bronzes diversified the medal portfolio.
- Team USA sits third overall, poised for more with events ahead.
Team USA’s day-four surge underscored the blend of experience and emerging talent fueling America’s Olympic charge. What do you think about these historic achievements? Tell us in the comments.
