The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games have officially come to a close, and if there is one definitive takeaway, it is that the American women were the undisputed heart of Team USA. In a Games defined by high-altitude drama and the passionate energy of the Italian crowds, the U.S. women stepped onto the world stage with a blend of veteran poise and youthful audacity.
They didn’t just participate; they dictated the tempo of the competition. For those of us watching from home, it was a masterclass in resilience. Seeing legends like Mikaela Shiffrin reach her peak after years of personal and professional hurdles, and watching newcomers like Elizabeth Lemley rewrite the moguls rulebook at high speed, was an absolute delight.
What made 2026 so special wasn’t just the sheer number of gold medals, but the stories behind them. We saw a hockey team reclaim its throne in a classic overtime thriller, and a figure skating prodigy return from retirement to end a 24-year gold medal drought. These weren’t just athletic wins; they were emotional breakthroughs that resonated far beyond the ice and snow.
As we look at the final medal count, it’s clear that the legacy of Milano Cortina will be defined by these women who refused to settle for anything less than the top of the podium, proving that the American spirit is most vibrant in the face of Alpine pressure.
Team USA Women’s Ice Hockey
Megan Keller’s legendary overtime winner against Canada secured the third-ever Olympic gold for the U.S. women, ending a tense rivalry with a 2-1 victory. Captain Hilary Knight became the all-time leading scorer in U.S. Olympic history, while Laila Edwards made history as the first Black American woman to win Olympic hockey gold. The “Golden Gals” dominated the tournament with five shutouts, proving that their defensive structure and clutch scoring have returned to a world-beating elite level.
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Alysa Liu (Singles Figure Skating)
Liu’s historic free skate to “MacArthur Park Suite” ended a 24-year American drought in women’s singles, marking the first U.S. gold since Sarah Hughes in 2002. Having returned from a two-year retirement just to “find the joy in skating, the 20-year-old leapfrogged the field to capture the most elusive title in the sport. Her near-perfect performance in Milan captivated the audience and signaled a triumphant new era for U.S. figure skating, built on maturity and genuine passion.
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Mikaela Shiffrin (Alpine Skiing)
Shiffrin reclaimed her crown in the slalom by a staggering 1.5-second margin, becoming the first U.S. skier to ever win three career Olympic gold medals. At age 30, she is now the oldest woman to win an Olympic slalom title, a poetic full-circle moment after being the youngest to do so back in Sochi 2014. This victory was her first Olympic medal since the loss of her father, making it a deeply emotional milestone that resonated with fans across the globe.
Breezy Johnson (Alpine Skiing)
Johnson delivered the first gold medal for Team USA in 2026, conquering the same Tofane course that had sidelined her with a knee injury four years prior. Her aggressive run in the downhill secured America’s first gold in the event since Lindsey Vonn in 2010, proving she is the world’s premier speed specialist. Adding to the magic of her golden week, Johnson’s finish-line celebration was punctuated by a viral proposal, turning her athletic peak into a lifelong personal memory.
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Elana Meyers Taylor (Bobsled)
At 41, the legendary pilot became the oldest American woman to win individual winter gold by clinching a thrilling victory in the monobob. Her record-breaking performance in her sixth Olympic Games saw her leapfrog favorite Laura Nolte during a flawless final run to secure her first-ever gold medal. Taylor’s legacy is now unparalleled in the sport, as she tied for the most Olympic medals ever earned by a female bobsledder in a truly historic finale.
Elizabeth Lemley (Freestyle Skiing)
The 19-year-old “Lizard” Lemley spearheaded a historic 1-2 finish for Team USA in the moguls, capturing the nation’s first gold in the event in 16 years. Her explosive speed and technical aerials left the competition behind, establishing her as the new prodigy of a U.S. freestyle team that dominated the Milan slopes. Combined with her silver and bronze in the dual moguls debut, Lemley’s golden run made her the most decorated American breakout star of the 2026 Games.
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Team USA Figure Skating
Led by Alysa Liu and Amber Glenn, the U.S. figure skating squad secured its second consecutive team gold, proving the immense depth of the American program. Madison Chock and Evan Bates provided the veteran leadership needed in the ice dance segments, helping the U.S. pull away from Japan in the final standings. This collective victory celebrated the balance of the U.S. roster, as both the women’s singles and the dance pairs delivered the points needed to stay on top.
American women dominated the 2026 Winter Olympics
The story of the 2026 Winter Olympics is essentially the story of American women refusing to be outshone. Whether it was the sheer longevity of Elana Meyers Taylor or the youthful exuberance of Alysa Liu, Team USA’s female athletes provided the most compelling narratives of the Games.
They dominated the podium, broke decades-long droughts, and reminded the world that “American dominance” is a standard maintained through grit and evolution. As the torch passes toward the 2030 Games in the French Alps, these gold medalists leave behind a legacy of excellence that has set a new bar for the next generation of winter stars.
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