Anna Odine Strøm at the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup Ladies Hinzenbach 2016- / Wikimedia commons

The hosts, Italy was joined by Japan, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland in the gold hunt on the opening day of the competitions of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games on Feb. 7.

Speed skater Francesco Lollobrigida did the home country proud by winning the gold in the 3000 m speed skating event for women, while Japan’s Kira Kimura and teammate Ryoma Kimata won the gold and silver, respectively, in the men’s snowboard big air to give Asian teams a gold start.

Overall champions of the previous three editions of the games, Norway, also had gold in its lap when Anna Odine Stroem won the women’s NH individual ski jumping competition.

In the gruelling 10 km + 10 km skiathlon, Sweden won the first two places, with the gold medal going to Frida Karlsson and silver to Ebba Andersson.

Switzerland, too, joined the gold parade on the opening day when Franjo von Allmen won the men’s downhill Alpine skiing event. The USA was yet to figure in the medals tally.

For Canada, the first medal of the Games was won in long track speed skating by Valerie Maltais. She captured bronze in the women’s 3000m on Feb. 7, giving Canada its first medal of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. Competing in her fifth Olympics, the 35-year-old earned her third career medal and first individual medal. Maltais won short track silver in the women’s 3000m relay at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi before making the transition to long track and winning gold with Ivanie Blondin and Isabelle Weidemann in team pursuit at Beijing 2022.

ALSO READ: Olympics-U.S. hospitality space changes name from 'Ice House' to 'Winter House' following protests

A strong contender in women’s hockey, Canada opened its campaign by defeating Switzerland 4-0. Team Canada scored three times in the third period. Natalie Spooner, Sarah Filler, Julia Gosling, and Daryl Watts had Canada’s goals. Goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer only faced six shots as the Canadians outshot the Swiss 55-6.

Ice Hockey (women): Germany b Japan 5-2, Sweden b Italy 6-1, USA b Finland 5-0, Switzerland b Czechia 4-3 (shootout), Japan b France 3-2, USA b Czechia 5-1, Italy b France 4-1, Sweden b Germany 4-1, and Canada b Switzerland 4-0.

Jack Crawford was the top Canadian in the men’s downhill, finishing ninth in 1:53.00. There were two Canadians in the top 15, as Cameron Alexander finished 14th in his first Olympic race. Also making his Olympic debut was Jeffrey Read, who finished 25th. Brodie Seger ended up in 28th place.

Two Canadians are through to the final of the women’s ski slopestyle set to take place on February 9. Megan Oldham finished seventh in the qualification round, one spot ahead of Naomi Urness. The top 12 advanced to the final based on their best score of two runs. Oldham recorded a score of 61.05 points for her first run, while Urness got 58.40 for her second run. Skye Clarke finished 21st, while Elena Gaskell was 23rd.  

Evan McEacran competed in the men’s slopestyle qualification round and finished 16th.

Stephen Gogolev delivered a personal-best score of 92.99 in the men’s short program, finishing third in the segment to earn eight points and secure Canada’s place in the team event final.

Ice dancers Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha followed with a season’s best score of 120.90 in the free dance, also finishing third to add another eight points for Canada. Canada now sits fourth overall heading into the final day of the team event, with the men’s free program, women’s free program, and pairs free program still to come.

Abigail Strate and Nicole Maurier both advanced to the final of the women’s individual normal hill competition, finishing 11th and 19th, respectively.

Brett Gallant and Jocelyn Peterman dropped a 7-5 decision to Great Britain’s Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat in their first match of the day in mixed doubles curling. It was the second loss in a row for the Canadians, who started the competition with Italy, were a perfect 3-0 in the round robin.

Later, Canada suffered its third straight defeat in mixed doubles curling, falling to Estonia 8-6. Canada trailed the Estonians 6-0 in the fourth end but had momentum in the second half to score six points, but it was not enough to defeat the Estonians. The Canadians now fall to 3-3 in the round robin.

Francis Jobin overcame a dislocated shoulder to compete in the final of men’s big air. He sustained the injury near the end of the practice session and went with the medical staff to have it taped. By the time that was done and tested, he was being called on the radio to head to the top of the ramp for his first run. 

Jobin put his hands down on the landing of the first of three runs but was outstanding on his second trick. Unfortunately, he couldn’t keep his hand off the snow on the landing of his third trick. His two best scores were added together for a total of 149.50, good for seventh place. 

The women’s 20 km skiathlon got things going at the Tesero Cross-Country Stadium. In her Olympic debut, Alison Mackie was the top Canadian, finishing 22nd in 57:48. 3. Jasmine Drolet placed 38th, Katherine Stewart-Jones was 45th, and Amelia Wells finished 50th in a field of 70 competitors.

Discover more at New India Abroad.