Men’s Downhill and Women’s Hockey Day 1
It is Day 1 of the Winter Olympics 2026. The games will feel like that have truly begun after today.
We begin with the Men’s Downhill in Alpine Skiing as Ryan Cochran-Siegle of Starksboro, Vermont, Bryce Bennett, Kyle Negomir, and Sam Morse of Carrabassett Valley, Maine try to be the first Americans to get on podium since Bode Miller in 2010. The conditions are perfect as we are off the event. Sunny conditions. Bryce Bennett in his final Olympics has an honorable race down the mountain. Not good enough for the podium, unfortunately. The drone footage combined with the sound of the course is so amazing. Props to the IOC broadcasting crew. First crash out of the day goes to France. Glad he could walk away from it. The event is delayed for a bit as the crews repair the course. Switzerland is dominating the competition so far. Three of them occupy the top three spots, but there will be no Switzerland sweep on the podium. Disastrous run by Cochran-Siegle. He could not get the correct feel for the mountain right out the jump. Negomir and Morse had an honorable honor run with Negomir being the top American of the day.
We move on to Cross-Country Skiing with the Women’s 10 km +10 km Skiathlon as Jesse Diggins, who is from Wakefield, MA but currently resides in Afton, MN, is in her final Olympics and hopes to win a medal. Joining her is Julia Kern of Waltham, MA, Rosie Brennan, and Novie McCabe. Diggins got caught up in a crash. While she was not involved, the accident caused a traffic jam and caused her to be 5 seconds behind the lead after the first lap of the first 10 km. This accident has so far become a setback for Diggins. She is losing the flow of the race so far. Diggins is losing more time, and this is rapidly getting out of hand for her. She cannot afford to lose more time. Diggins lost the race. Brennan is now the top American. No Americans will earned medals from this event. Diggins will have a valiant top 10 finish today.
We move on to Mixed Doubles Curling as the United States is undefeated so far in round robin. Dropkin and Thiesse are taking on Great Britain who along with the US are the top teams so far in round robin. Great Britain takes the 1st end to make it 2-0 over the United States. Great Britain takes the 2nd end to make it 3-0 over the United States. United States takes the 3rd end to make it 3-1 Great Britain. Great Britain takes the 4th end to make it 4-1. United States has a brilliant end to take 3 points to tie this match 4-4! Both teams are proving they are the top dogs so far in this round robin. Great Britain retakes the lead to make it 5-4.
We turn to the Women’s 3,000 meters in Speedskating long track. Greta Meyers is unexpectedly in this competition as someone had to withdrew. She learned this information 3 hours prior to start time. She is in the first pairing against a Canadian. Meyers loses her pairing, but it is valiant effort by her with only 3 hours to prepare. Great Britain increases its lead to make 6-4 over the United States heading into the 8th end. United States conceded for their first loss of round robin to Great Britain. I have a feeling this is not over between these two teams.
We move to Women’s Hockey as the United States seeks their second win against Finland who is dealing with a norovirus outbreak that caused their game against Canada to be postponed. Underway in the 1st period. Frankel is back in net for the United States. Carpenter strikes again! Her second goal of this Olympics! 1-0 United States over Finland heading into the second period. Taylor Heise scores for the United States to make it 2-0 over Finland. Just like the previous game, the United States dominate the shots on goal so far out shooting them 18-6. United States scores again to make it 3-0, thanks to Megan Keller! Knight scores for the United States to make it 4-0 and is now tied for most goals scored for the United States in Women’s Hockey history. United States is taking advantage of the power play as most of their goals have come off power plays through these two games. United States beats Finland 5-0 to stay undefeated in round robin play.
That’s it for Expresso Olympics Day 1. Everybody should go grab a Casunziel All’ampezzena.