Day 12 at Milano-Cortina: Alpine glory, Nordic dominance, aerial brilliance

Day 12 of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics delivered an electrifying mix of skill, determination, and historic triumphs, as athletes from across the globe battled on snow and ice to leave their mark on the Games. From Alpine slopes to Nordic trails and daring aerial feats, today’s competitions offered unforgettable moments for fans worldwide.

The spotlight belonged to Mikaela Shiffrin , the American skiing superstar, who claimed gold in the women’s slalom , ending an eight-year Olympic medal drought. Shiffrin posted a combined time of 1:39.10, finishing 1.50 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor , the largest winning margin in decades. Switzerland’s Camille Rast took silver, while Sweden’s Anna Swenn Larsson earned bronze, her first Olympic medal. Shiffrin’s victory is hailed as a remarkable comeback, highlighting her resilience after injuries and past setbacks.

In freestyle skiing, China’s Xu Mengtao successfully defended her women’s aerials title , showcasing precision and acrobatic mastery. Australia’s Danielle Scott earned a hard-fought silver , marking her first Olympic medal in her fourth Games, while China’s Shao Qi captured bronze . The aerials competition thrilled spectators with high-flying stunts and perfect execution, underlining the daring skill required in this discipline.

Nordic skiing also produced historic performances. Norway’s Johannes Høsflot Klæbo led his team to victory in the men’s cross-country team sprint, securing his fifth gold of these Games and 10th overall Olympic medal, cementing his status as one of the Winter Olympics’ all-time greats. Sweden continued to impress in the women’s team sprint, taking gold with a dominant performance, while Switzerland and Germany rounded out the podium.

Team USA added to its medal haul, claiming silver in the men’s cross-country team sprint , a standout result alongside Shiffrin’s Alpine triumph. In snowboarding, American Jake Canter earned bronze in the men’s slopestyle , his first career Olympic medal in a thrilling final that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

As of today, Norway continues to lead the overall medal count , followed closely by Italy and the United States, with Germany, Japan, and Austria maintaining strong positions. With the Games moving toward their final stretch, today’s results underscored the mix of experience, talent, and perseverance that defines the Winter Olympics.

From Shiffrin’s triumphant return to Klæbo’s historic gold and Xu Mengtao’s aerial brilliance, Day 12 of Milano-Cortina 2026 offered stories of redemption, record-breaking feats, and unforgettable Olympic drama, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the action to come.