Meyers Taylor Claims First Olympic Gold in Monobob as USA Shines

Elana Meyers Taylor won her first Olympic gold medal in the women's monobob event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, on Monday. Kaillie Humphries took bronze for the US, while the American women's hockey team beat Sweden 5-0 in Milan to advance to the gold medal game.

Background

The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are taking place across northern Italy, with events split between Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. These games mark the first time Italy has hosted the Winter Olympics since 2006 in Turin. The bid combined Milan's urban venues with Cortina's mountain slopes, a site from the 1956 games.

Day 10 fell on Monday, February 16, after a quiet Sunday for the US team with no medals. Teams from over 90 nations competed in snow and ice events. Bobsled races happened at the Cortina Sliding Centre, a fast track built for these games. Hockey semifinals took place at arenas in Milan.

Meyers Taylor, 41, entered her fifth Olympics. She had won silver and bronze before but never gold. Humphries, also American, switched nationalities from Canada in 2021 and now races for the US. She has multiple Olympic medals from her Canadian days.

The women's monobob debuted at the 2022 Beijing Games. It features one athlete pushing and driving a single-person sled down the icy track at high speeds. Runs combine for the final score.

US women's hockey has a strong history, winning gold in 2018 and silver in 2022. They faced Sweden in the semifinals, a team they have beaten often.

Other events on the schedule included men's slalom in Bormio and short track speed skating. Figure skating wrapped up with an exhibition gala planned.

Key Details

Bobsled Results

Meyers Taylor posted the fastest combined time over two runs at the Cortina Sliding Centre. She crossed the line first in both heats, beating her rivals by key margins. Humphries finished third, securing bronze after a solid second run.

The track, over 1,500 meters long, drops steeply with 16 curves. Athletes reach speeds near 130 km/h. Meyers Taylor pushed off hard and drove cleanly through turns.

"This is what I've been chasing for so long," Meyers Taylor said after her win.

Her victory adds to Team USA's bobsled success. The US now leads in women's sliding events at these games.

Women's Hockey Semifinal

In Milan, the US women shut out Sweden 5-0. Goals came early and often, with the score 3-0 by the first intermission. Goalkeeper Aerin Frankel stopped all shots for the clean sheet.

Sweden struggled to create chances against the American defense. The US outshot them 35-18. This win sends the US to Thursday's gold medal game against the Canada-Switzerland winner.

Team captain Kendall Coyne Schofield scored first, setting the tone. The Americans controlled play with strong forechecking and quick transitions.

Other Notable Results

Switzerland's Loic Meillard won gold in men's slalom in Bormio. He clocked 1:53.61 over two runs, beating Austria's Fabio Gstrein by 0.35 seconds. Norway's Henrik Kristoffersen took bronze.

Morning fog gave way to sun in the afternoon, affecting strategies. Meillard's second run was error-free.

In short track speed skating, Netherlands' Xandra Velzeboer won the women's 1000m in 1:28.437. Canada's Courtney Sarault got silver, South Korea's Kim Gilli bronze. Italy's Arianna Fontana, with 13 career Olympic medals, placed fourth.

Japan's Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara won pairs figure skating gold with a clean free skate. Canada's Megan Oldham took gold in freeski big air, China's Eileen Gu silver.

US skater Ilia Malinin, after helping win team gold, finished eighth in men's singles due to falls in his free skate. He is set for the exhibition gala.

Norway's Atle Lie McGrath was disqualified in slalom and tossed his poles in frustration.

Medal tally leaders include Italy with golds from Federica Brignone in super-G and giant slalom. Norway and others trail closely.

What This Means

Meyers Taylor's gold boosts US sliding sports, showing depth in bobsled. At 41, she proves age is no barrier in a sport demanding power and precision. Humphries' bronze adds another medal for the US in an event they now dominate.

The hockey win keeps US hopes alive for a third straight Olympic medal. A gold medal game against Canada or Switzerland revives a fierce rivalry. Canada often meets the US in big games.

These results shift momentum for Team USA after Sunday's blank. More medals are possible in remaining days, including hockey final and skating events.

For hosts Italy, Fontana's near-miss adds to home excitement. Brignone's earlier wins help the tally. Alpine skiing ends with Meillard's victory closing the men's program.

Velzeboer's win extends Dutch speed skating streak. Short track remains competitive with tight fields.

The games continue with primetime coverage of multiple sports. Viewers can watch bobsled replays, hockey highlights, and upcoming slalom. Medal events fill the schedule through Sunday.

US athletes like Breezy Johnson, who won downhill gold earlier, highlight equipment advances like cold suits and protective gear in ski racing.

Overall, Day 10 delivered key wins and drama, setting up intense finals. Teams adjust to weather shifts from fog to clear skies across venues.