American speed skating phenom Jordan Stolz captured his first gold medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday, setting a new Olympic record in the men's 1,000-meter event with a blistering time of 1:06.28. His victory headlined a massive podium day for Team USA in Milan, which included a dominant gold-silver sweep in women's moguls by Elizabeth Lemley and Jaelin Kauf, propelling the U.S. into a fierce battle for the overall medal lead.

Stolz Ends Drought with Record-Breaking Performance

The 21-year-old Wisconsin native lived up to the immense hype surrounding his Olympic debut, delivering a performance that will be etched in history. Skating at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium, Stolz was nothing short of perfection. He didn't just win; he dismantled the field, finishing 0.50 seconds ahead of Dutch rival Jenning de Boo, who took silver. China's Ning Zhongyan claimed the bronze.

Stolz's time of 1:06.28 obliterated the previous Olympic record of 1:07.18, set by Gerard van Velde back in 2002—two years before Stolz was even born. The victory marks the first time an American man has won individual Olympic gold in speed skating since Shani Davis in 2010. "It's a huge relief," Stolz told reporters after the race. "To finally get that gold after all the talk, it just feels incredible."

This win could be just the beginning. Stolz is attempting to become one of the most decorated athletes of these Games, with three more individual events on his schedule. His dominant showing in the 1,000m sends a clear message to the rest of the field: the "King of the Ice" has arrived.

Historic 1-2 Finish in Women's Moguls

While Stolz ruled the oval, Team USA's freestyle skiers were making history in the mountains of Livigno. In a stunning display of depth and skill, Elizabeth Lemley and Jaelin Kauf secured a gold-silver finish in the women's moguls, marking the first time American women have ever taken the top two spots in an Olympic freestyle skiing event.

Lemley, a 20-year-old rising star making her Olympic debut, put down the run of her life in the super final, scoring a massive 82.30. Her blend of speed and technical precision was enough to edge out her veteran teammate Kauf, who scored 80.77 to take the silver—her second consecutive Olympic silver medal in the event.

"To share the podium with Jaelin is a dream come true," Lemley said, beaming on the podium. "We push each other every day, and to see it pay off like this for Team USA is unreal."

Medal Count Update: USA Chases Norway

Wednesday's medal haul, which also included a silver in ice dance for Madison Chock and Evan Bates, has vaulted the United States up the medal table. As of Thursday morning, Team USA sits in second place in the overall count with 12 total medals (4 Gold, 6 Silver, 2 Bronze).

They are currently in a tight race with winter powerhouse Norway, who leads with 13 medals (7 Gold), and host nation Italy, who also has 13 medals. Chock and Bates' silver was particularly emotional; the married couple finally secured their first individual Olympic medal in their fourth Games appearance, cementing their legacy as one of America's greatest ice dance teams.

Mikaela Shiffrin's "Medal Drought" Continues

Not every storyline has been a fairytale for Team USA. All eyes remain on alpine superstar Mikaela Shiffrin, whose quest for Olympic redemption hit another snag on Tuesday. Competing in the team combined event with downhill champion Breezy Johnson, Shiffrin missed the podium by a heartbreaking 0.06 seconds, finishing fourth.

The result extends a baffling Olympic medal drought for the most decorated skier in World Cup history, dating back to her difficult Beijing 2022 campaign. However, Shiffrin remains optimistic. She has yet to race in her signature individual events—the Giant Slalom (scheduled for Feb 15) and Slalom—where she will be the heavy favorite to snap the streak and return to glory.

Feb 12 Schedule: Chloe Kim and Men's Hockey Debut

The action intensifies on Thursday, February 12, with several marquee events that could add to the U.S. gold medal tally.

  • Chloe Kim's Three-Peat Bid: The snowboard halfpipe queen drops in for the finals at 1:30 PM ET. Kim is looking to become the first woman in history to win three consecutive Olympic golds in the halfpipe.
  • Men's Hockey Opener: The highly anticipated U.S. men's hockey team, featuring NHL stars like Auston Matthews and Jack Hughes, begins their tournament against Latvia at 3:10 PM ET. This is the first time since 2014 that NHL players are participating, raising hopes for a deep run.
  • Jessie Diggins Races: Cross-country skiing legend Jessie Diggins competes in the women's 10km freestyle at 7:00 AM ET, aiming to add another chapter to her storied Olympic career.