Day 8 at Milano Cortina 2026: A Bronze-Filled Day for Team Canada
Canada's Olympic Journey: A Day of Triumphs and Tears
February 14, 2026, witnessed another exciting chapter in Team Canada's Olympic story. From speed skating to hockey, freestyle skiing, and more, here's a breakdown of the day's highlights and heartbreaks.
But here's where it gets controversial... some wins were celebrated, while others left a bitter taste. And this is the part most people miss: the journey to the podium is often filled with setbacks and surprises.
Let's dive into the action!
Speed Skating: Long and Short Tracks
Laurent Dubreuil, a name synonymous with perseverance, finally claimed his long-desired Olympic medal in the men's 500m. For a brief moment, he held the Olympic record, but it was a close race to the finish. Dubreuil's specialty event almost saw him on the podium at Beijing 2022, but he missed it by a mere 0.03 seconds. This time, he made sure to leave nothing to chance.
On the women's team pursuit, the defending Olympic champions showed their mettle in the quarterfinals. Ivanie Blondin, Valérie Maltais, and Isabelle Weidemann posted an impressive time of 2:55.03, securing their spot in the semifinals. Their next battle? A head-to-head with the United States on Tuesday, with the winner advancing to the race for gold and silver.
In short track speed skating, it was a day of mixed emotions. William Dandjinou had a promising start in the men's 1500m final but lost momentum after a slight bump from another racer. He finished fifth, just ahead of Steven Dubois. Félix Roussel received a yellow card in the semifinals, adding to the team's disappointment.
The Canadian women's 3000m relay squad, however, advanced to the A final on February 18. Courtney Sarault's strong closing laps helped the team finish second in their semifinal, with Kim Boutin, Danaé Blais, and Florence Brunelle by her side.
Hockey: Captain Clutch Returns
Captain Marie-Philip Poulin, known for her clutch performances, made a triumphant return to the ice. In the women's hockey quarterfinal against Germany, Poulin netted her 18th career Olympic goal, tying her with Hayley Wickenheiser for the most all-time. Brianne Jenner, Claire Thompson, Sarah Fillier, and Blayre Turnbull also found the back of the net, securing Canada's spot in the semifinals, which will take place on Monday.
Freestyle Skiing: Olympic Debuts and Valuable Experiences
Saturday marked the Olympic debut of dual moguls, with the women's event taking center stage. MaÏa Schwinghammer, Ashley Koehler, and Jessica Linton were eliminated in the ⅛ finals, ranking 11th, 14th, and 15th, respectively. Laurianne Desmarais-Gilbert placed 21st after not advancing from the 1/16 finals. Despite the results, these athletes gained invaluable experience on the Olympic stage.
The day also saw Megan Oldham top the rankings in the women's big air qualification round. Her two best runs totaled an impressive 171.75 points. Naomi Urness also advanced to the 12-person final, ranking seventh with 161.25 points. Skye Clarke and Elena Gaskell finished 17th and 20th, respectively.
Ski Jumping: A Fitting Finale for a Legend
Five-time Olympian Mackenzie Boyd-Clowes, who recently announced his retirement, competed in the men's individual large hill event. He finished 45th, but his Olympic journey will forever be remembered. It was a fitting finale for a true legend of the sport.
Cross-Country Skiing: Equalizing the Playing Field
Canada's young cross-country skiing team finished eighth in the women's 4×7.5km relay. Alison Mackie, Jasmine Drolet, Liliane Gagnon, and Sonjaa Schmidt clocked a time of 1:19:20.7, just one spot behind Canada's all-time best Olympic result in a women's cross-country skiing relay. This new distance, part of the equalization efforts across genders, showcases the growing parity in the sport.
Curling: A Tough Day for Team Homan
Team Homan had a challenging day, losing both their games on Saturday. The Canadian women's team narrowly lost to Great Britain, 7-6, with a few early mistakes proving costly. Later, they dropped an 8-7 decision to Switzerland, despite a strong start and a late push. Team Jacobs, on the other hand, suffered their first loss, falling 9-5 to Team Switzerland in nine ends.
Skeleton: Closing Out the Women's Competition
Team Canada's skeleton racers, Jane Channell and Hallie Clarke, completed their final two runs on Saturday, closing out the women's competition. Channell finished 18th with a four-run time of 3:52.96, just ahead of Clarke, who was 19th at 3:53.02. They started the day in 15th and 20th, respectively, but both athletes showed determination and grit.
Biathlon: Qualifying for the Pursuit
Benita Peiffer was the top Canadian in the women's 7.5km sprint, finishing 56th in 23:08.5. She, along with Nadia Moser, Pascale Paradis, and Shilo Rousseau, qualified for the 10km pursuit on Sunday. These athletes will now have a chance to showcase their skills and improve their standings.
So, what did you think of Team Canada's performance on Day 8? Were you on the edge of your seat during the speed skating events? Did the hockey game leave you cheering for more? Share your thoughts and let's discuss the highs and lows of this Olympic journey! #TeamCanada #MilanoCortina2026
