TESERO: The Milano Cortina Winter Olympics delivered a packed day of high-stakes action on Friday, with Norway’s Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo etching his name deeper into Winter Games history by claiming his eighth career gold medal to tie the all-time record.

The 29-year-old Norwegian superstar dominated the men’s 10km interval start freestyle cross-country race in Tesero, clocking 20min 36.2sec to finish 4.9sec ahead of France’s Mathis Desloges, with compatriot Einar Hedegart taking bronze. The victory marked Klaebo’s third gold of these Games following wins in the skiathlon and classic sprint, and his first in a 10km interval start skating format on the professional circuit.

Klaebo now shares the record of eight Winter Olympic golds with fellow Norwegians Marit Bjorgen, Bjorn Daehlie and biathlete Ole Einar Bjorndalen.

Rivals acknowledged his dominance, with Hedegart admitting it was his best chance to beat the “insanely high” level of the Norwegian, while Britain’s Andrew Musgrave predicted Klaebo could sweep all six possible cross-country golds here. The relay on Sunday offers Klaebo his next shot at sole possession of the record.

In biathlon at Anterselva, France’s Quentin Fillon Maillet stormed to gold in the men’s 10km sprint, his first individual Olympic title since Beijing and a reminder of his enduring class at 33.

Maillet, who matched Martin Fourcade’s seven-medal tally for France, described it as a “perfect race” amid personal joy at awaiting a baby. Norway’s Sturla Holm Laegreid overcame recent personal controversy to claim bronze, with team-mate Vetle Sjastad Christiansen snatching silver in a late surge.

Australia’s Josie Baff thrilled in Livigno, surging to gold in women’s snowboard cross by 0.04sec over Czechia’s Eva Adamczykova, who completed her Olympic medal set (gold Sochi 2014, bronze Pyeongchang 2018). Italy’s Michela Moioli took bronze on home snow, kissing her medal through tears after a recent training crash.

Curling in Cortina d’Ampezzo saw Italy’s men, skipped by Joel Retornaz, continue their strong home campaign with a 9-7 win over Britain, stealing four in the first end before holding off a British fightback. The result boosted Italy’s medal hopes after earlier beating Sweden.

In women’s play, the United States’ Tabitha Peterson delivered a landmark 9-8 victory over two-time world champions Canada with the hammer in the final end, ending a long wait for an Olympic win over their neighbors. Sweden’s Anna Hasselborg edged Denmark 6-5 to top the standings.

Ice hockey in Milan featured powerhouses asserting control. Canada crushed Czechia 5-0, with Jordan Binnington posting a shutout and young star Macklin Celebrini among the scorers, backed by Connor McDavid’s three assists. The United States rebounded from early disallowed goals to beat Latvia 5-1, with Brock Nelson scoring twice.

Italian short track star Arianna Fontana settled for silver in the women’s 500m, tying Edoardo Mangiarotti as Italy’s most decorated Olympian with 13 medals across six Games. The 35-year-old, who overcame a torn quad, drew inspiration from fellow Italians’ successes.

As the Games approach the halfway mark, Norway lead the medal table with eight golds and 18 total, tied on overall count with host Italy (six golds, 18 total). The United States sits third with 14 medals. With events in figure skating, speed skating and more looming, the battle for supremacy intensifies on Italian soil.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2026