The Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina are heating up with thrilling competitions scheduled for Thursday. The spotlight will be on various sports as athletes vie for medals and national pride.
Key Events on Thursday
Curling: Canada vs. Norway
The Canadian men’s curling team, led by captain Brad Jacobs, is aiming for gold. They secured a place in the semi-finals with an impressive 7-1 record. Their final preliminary match against Norway’s Magnus Ramsfjell will take place at 3:05 AM.
Alpine Skiing: Qualifying Events
Alpine skiing makes its official Olympic debut at these Games. In the women’s category, French athlete Emily Harrop is favored to claim gold, followed closely by Switzerland’s Marianne Fatton. The finals are set for 7:55 AM. For men, top contenders include Spain’s Oriol Cardona Coll, and Swiss skiers Jon Kistler and Arno Lethia, with finals happening at 8:15 AM.
Men’s Freestyle Skiing: Halfpipe Qualifiers
Men’s halfpipe qualifiers are scheduled for 4:30 AM. Canadian athletes Dylan Marineau, Brendan Mackay, and Andrew Longino will compete, entering in the 3rd, 5th, and 10th positions, respectively. The top 12 out of 25 will qualify for the finals.
Nordic Combined: Men’s Team Finals
The men’s team finals for nordic combined will begin at 8:00 AM. Norway, led by double gold medalist Jens Luraas Oftebro, is expected to dominate. Other teams to watch include Japan and Austria.
Women’s Curling: Canada vs. South Korea
Rachel Homan’s team will conclude its round-robin play against South Korea at 8:05 AM. This final preliminary round will determine their chances for Friday’s semi-finals. Canada last won gold in women’s curling at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
Women’s Ice Hockey: Bronze Medal Match
The bronze medal match between Switzerland and Norway is set for 8:40 AM. Switzerland seeks redemption after a tough semi-final loss to Canada, while Norway aims to secure a medal against a strong Swiss side.
Men’s Speed Skating: 1500m Event
At 10:30 AM, Canadian athletes David La Rue and Daniel Hall will compete in the 1500 meters speed skating event. Notably, Hall is a second-generation Olympian, following in his father’s footsteps from the 1994 Lillehammer Games.
Figure Skating: Women’s Free Program
The women’s free skating final will take place at 1:00 PM. Two Japanese skaters, Ami Nakai and Kaori Sakamoto, are in strong contention for medals, having topped the short program standings. The American Alysa Liu is also a favorite for a podium finish.
Curling Semi-finals
The semi-finals for men’s curling are scheduled for 1:05 PM. Canada has secured its place, while Switzerland, leading the rankings, faces Italy. If Canada wins, they may meet Great Britain in the semi-finals.
Women’s Ice Hockey: Gold Medal Game
The highlight of the day is the gold medal match in women’s hockey, featuring Canada and the USA at 1:10 PM. This fierce rivalry has seen these two teams compete in nearly every Olympic final since 1998. Captain Marie-Philip Poulin seeks to lead her team to victory, having shown exceptional skill throughout the tournament.
Women’s Freestyle Skiing: Halfpipe Qualifications
Finally, women’s halfpipe qualifiers kick off at 1:30 PM. Four Canadian athletes, including Rachael Karker and Cassie Sharpe, will compete in the top 16 spots, aiming for a place in the finals.
As the Games unfold, fans can anticipate a day filled with high-stakes competition and dramatic performances, highlighting the intensity of rivalry, especially in hockey.
