Get ready for an exhilarating Day 7 of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy! Today, we're witnessing Team USA's quest for glory and an update on their medal count.
The Golden Quest: Ilia Malinin's Journey
Figure skating sensation Ilia Malinin is on a mission to secure his second gold medal at these Olympics. With his exceptional performance in the short program, he's set the stage for a thrilling free skate later today. But here's where it gets controversial... Malinin has a secret weapon - a move that could seal his victory. Will he attempt the elusive quad Axel, a jump that has been a topic of debate in the skating world?
Women's Hockey: USA vs. Italy
The U.S. women's hockey team is on a roll, and today they face Italy in the quarterfinals. With a dominant performance in the preliminary round, the Americans are the favorites. Keep an eye on Caroline Harvey, who's on a scoring streak, and Hilary Knight, who's close to breaking multiple U.S. Olympic records.
Snowboarding Showdown
In snowboarding, Team USA has four athletes competing in the women's snowboard cross event. The action starts early with the seeding runs, followed by the elimination rounds. Additionally, young talent Alessandro Barbieri, just 17 years old, will aim for gold in the men's halfpipe finals after an impressive qualifying round.
Schedule for Friday, Feb. 13
Here's a breakdown of the day's events, all times Eastern:
- Cross-Country Skiing: Men's 10 km Interval Start Free - 5:45 a.m.
- Snowboarding: Women's Cross Final - 7:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.
- Biathlon: Men's 10 km Sprint - 8 a.m.
- Speed Skating: Men's 10,000m - 10 a.m.
- Figure Skating: Men's Free Skate - 1 p.m. to 5:10 p.m.
- Snowboarding: Men's Halfpipe Final - 1:30 p.m.
- Women's Ice Hockey: Quarterfinal - Team USA vs. Italy - 3:10 p.m.
And this is the part most people miss... the backflip controversy! Ilia Malinin's signature backflip has sparked debates. While he's not the only skater to attempt it, he's the first to land it legally in elite competition since 1976. The International Skating Union's rule changes have allowed this move to make a comeback, and Malinin is leading the charge.
So, will Malinin's backflip and his other jaw-dropping jumps secure him the gold? And what about the ice dance controversy? The ISU has defended the French judge's scoring, but is there more to the story?
Join the conversation! Share your thoughts on these exciting Olympic moments and the controversies they bring. Are you Team Malinin? What about the ice dance scoring? Let's discuss in the comments!
