Olympics schedule today: Alpine skiing, speed skating, ski jumping highlights

Alpine skiing, speed skating, and ski jumping deliver gold medal action on Day 1 of Milan Cortina 2026. Saturday, February 7 marks a historic day with multiple medal events across winter sports. From Swiss favorites to U.S. underdogs, the competition heating up in Italy promises unforgettable moments.

Alpine Skiing Crowns First Champions

Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt is favored to win the men’s downhill, the Games’s first gold medal event beginning at 5:30 a.m. ET. The world’s elite alpine skiers race down demanding courses in Bormio and Cortina. Ryan Cochran-Siegle of the USA and Italy’s Giovanni Franzoni present podium threats. Women’s downhill training continues at multiple time slots, with Breezy Johnson posting impressive training times. The technical and speed events showcase why alpine skiing demands split-second precision and nerves of steel.

Alpine competitions run for 12 consecutive days across both venues. Men’s events occur at the demanding Stelvio course in Bormio, while women race at Cortina’s Olimpia delle Tofane. Injuries and weather can quickly reshape predictions. The downhill format gives zero margin for error on icy pitches exceeding 40 mph.

Speed Skating Delivers Thrilling Competition

The women’s 3000m speed skating final airs 10:00 a.m. to 11:35 a.m. ET at Milan’s Ice Skating Arena. Dutch skaters have dominated this distance, winning every Olympic gold since 2014. Joy Beune and Ragne Wiklund are contenders to extend the streak. Speed skating demands explosive power combined with endurance across 1500m to 5000m distances. Athletes glide on razor-thin blades while managing splits across multiple laps on temperature-controlled ice.

Today’s competition features long track speed skating only. Short track events begin later in the Games. The difference lies in track size: long track spans 400 meters per lap, requiring sustained velocity and strategic positioning. Ice conditions vary hourly, forcing skaters to adapt throughout competition windows.

Ski Jumping Makes Olympic History

Nika Prevc of Slovenia could make family history. The world champion would become the third member of the Prevc family to win Winter Olympic medals if she podiums. Her two older brothers are already Olympic medalists in ski jumping. This would mark only the third family with three or more siblings earning Winter Olympic medals. Women’s ski jumping at normal hill is a relatively recent Olympic event, making today’s competition historically significant for gender equality in the sport.

Ski jumping combines physics, courage, and technique. Athletes launch off 120-145 meter hills, achieving speeds exceeding 60 mph. Judges score distance and style separately, with technique points comprising 33 percent of total. Wind conditions at 3,000-foot altitudes change constantly, requiring mid-flight adjustments. Europe dominates the sport, but athletes from Japan, USA, and other nations compete fiercely.

Cross-Country Skiing and Beyond

The women’s skiathlon kicks off at 7:00 a.m. to 8:40 a.m. ET in a combined 10km classical and 10km freestyle format. Jessie Diggins of the USA placed fifth at the Olympic venue last month and seeks to win America’s first medal of the Games. Cross-country skiing demands matching endurance with technique across varying terrain and snow conditions. Unlike downhill sports, skiers propel themselves through valleys and climbs.

Saturday features multiple events spanning 12 sports across venues. Snowboarding big air finals award medals at 1:30 p.m. ET. Figure skating team events continue with men’s short program at 1:45 p.m. Ice hockey matches resume with women’s preliminary round games. Curling mixed doubles continues heated battles in round-robin competition. Luge men’s singles begins with runs 1-2 at 11:00 a.m. Teams USA will field competitive athletes across all disciplines.

“The very first gold medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics will be awarded to the winner of the men’s downhill. Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt is a favorite, with the United States’ Ryan Cochran-Siegle and Italy’s Giovanni Franzoni also podium contenders.”

— NBC Olympics, Coverage Analysis

How to Watch Today’s Olympic Action

NBC coverage spans multiple platforms: watch on television, stream on Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, and the NBC Sports app. Daytime blocks run 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET with specialty themed coverage. NBC Primetime airs 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. with edited highlights and analysis. All events available for live streaming. Cable authentication required for some streams. Time zones matter: all times listed are Eastern Standard Time (EST). Pacific viewers subtract three hours. The Opening Ceremony concluded Friday evening, officially launching 17 days of Olympic competition concluding February 22.

Sources

• Olympics.com – Official Milano Cortina 2026 daily schedule and results
• NBCOlympics.com – Complete event coverage, athlete previews, and broadcasting information
• CBS News – Winter Olympic Games schedule for Saturday, February 7

Michael Brown

Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.

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