Key Points:
- Alysa Liu wins gold in women’s figure skating, ending a 24-year U.S. drought.
- Team USA women’s hockey defeats Canada 2-1 to reclaim Olympic gold.
- Jordan Stolz adds silver in speed skating as U.S. momentum builds toward closing ceremony.
Day 13 of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina delivered one of the most emotional moments of the Games as Alysa Liu captured gold in women’s figure skating, ending a 24-year Olympic title drought for the United States in the discipline. Skating with remarkable poise and technical precision, Alysa Liu delivered a near-flawless free skate to secure a winning total of 226.79 points, sealing her place in Olympic history.
The 20-year-old’s victory was not just a personal triumph but a symbolic resurgence for American women’s figure skating on the Olympic stage. Her program combined powerful triple jumps with graceful choreography, drawing a roaring response from the Milano Ice Skating Arena crowd. Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto claimed silver, while compatriot Ami Nakai earned bronze after a tightly contested final.
Alysa Liu’s gold medal also marked a remarkable comeback narrative. Having stepped away from competitive skating in 2022, she returned with renewed focus and resilience, culminating in the biggest victory of her career. Fellow American skaters Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito also delivered commendable performances, demonstrating the depth of the U.S. women’s program despite minor setbacks in their routines.
U.S. Women’s Hockey Wins Gold in Rivalry Thriller
In another defining moment for Team USA, the U.S. women’s ice hockey team defeated Canada 2-1 in a gripping gold medal showdown, reclaiming Olympic supremacy in one of winter sport’s fiercest rivalries. The victory marked the Americans’ third Olympic gold in women’s hockey and reinforced their dominance on the world stage.
The final unfolded with intensity from the opening puck drop, with both teams trading chances in a fast-paced contest. After overcoming an early challenge, the U.S. squad capitalized on key scoring opportunities and relied on disciplined defense to hold off a determined Canadian comeback attempt. Veteran leadership and tactical composure proved decisive in the closing minutes.
Elsewhere in women’s hockey, Switzerland secured the bronze medal with a dramatic 2-1 overtime win against Sweden. The result marked Switzerland’s second Olympic bronze in the sport, capping a tournament defined by narrow margins and high-level competition.
Broader Highlights Signal Strong Finish to the Games
Beyond figure skating and hockey, Day 13 showcased compelling performances across multiple disciplines. American speed skater Jordan Stolz added a silver medal in the men’s 1,500 meters to his already impressive Olympic campaign, underscoring his status as one of the breakout stars of Milan-Cortina 2026.
The Games also witnessed the Olympic debut of ski mountaineering, introducing a new test of endurance and versatility to the Winter program. Athletes navigated steep ascents and rapid descents in a format that blended cross-country stamina with alpine precision, earning enthusiastic support from spectators.
As the closing ceremony approaches, the United States continues to sit near the top of the medal standings, buoyed by pivotal victories in figure skating and women’s hockey. With momentum on their side, American athletes have turned Day 13 into a defining chapter of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, one marked by resilience, redemption, and gold-medal excellence.
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