Day 2 of Milano Cortina 2026: Canada's Near Misses and Unlucky Breaks
February 8th, 2026, was a day of mixed fortunes for Team Canada. While they didn't add to their medal haul, the athletes delivered some truly memorable performances that showcased their talent and determination.
Figure Skating:
Canada's figure skaters showcased their grace and skill, finishing fifth in the team event. The dynamic duo of Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud kicked off the final day with a stunning pairs free skate, narrowly missing fourth place by a fraction. Madeline Schizas bounced back from a fall with a beautiful routine, and Stephen Gogolev impressed with his quad salchows, finishing fourth in the men's free skate. A strong showing, but just shy of the podium.
Snowboard:
Arnaud Gaudet became the star of the day, reaching the quarterfinals in the parallel giant slalom, only to be defeated by the eventual bronze medalist in a nail-biting finish. A mere 0.03 seconds separated him from a medal, leaving him in sixth place. Ben Heldman, in his Olympic debut, didn't advance beyond the qualification round.
In the women's PGS, Aurélie Moisan and Kaylie Buck both reached the ⅛ finals, with Moisan finishing 12th in her first Olympics. A solid performance from the Canadian women.
Cross-Country Skiing:
Xavier McKeever, following in his parents' Olympic footsteps, shone in the men's 20km skiathlon, placing 13th. McKeever's strong performance saw him move up the rankings during the freestyle leg. Antoine Cyr and Max Hollmann finished 25th and 27th, respectively, with Rémi Drolet in 42nd.
Curling:
Canada's mixed doubles curling team faced disappointment on Day 2, losing both their matches. Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant fell to Sweden and South Korea, ending their medal hopes.
Biathlon:
The Canadian biathlon team, making their Olympic debut, finished 17th in the mixed relay. Adam Runnalls' clean shooting put Canada in ninth after the first leg. Jasper Fleming, the youngest team member, faced challenges in the range, while Pascale Paradis and Nadia Moser used all their spares to hit their targets. A learning experience for the young team.
Alpine Skiing:
Valérie Grenier's Olympic dreams were dashed by an unfortunate pole issue at the start, leading to disqualification despite completing the course. Grenier felt the conditions were in her favor, but luck wasn't on her side. Cassidy Gray finished 26th in her Olympic downhill debut, with both women set to compete in the team combined event.
Long Track Speed Skating:
Veteran Ted-Jan Bloemen, in his third Olympics, placed 13th in the men's 5000m. The event was dominated by Sander Eitrim of Norway, who set a new Olympic record.
And there you have it—a day of near misses and unlucky breaks for Team Canada. But the spirit and determination of these athletes shine through, leaving us with memorable moments and anticipation for what's to come.
But here's where it gets controversial: Was Grenier's disqualification fair, given the circumstances? And could Canada's biathlon team have benefited from more experienced shooters? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
