Hämmerle Holds Off Grondin in Thrilling Snowboard Cross Final; Skeleton Controversy Overshadows Day 6
Day 6 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games delivered drama across disciplines: a knife‑edge finish in the men’s snowboard cross at Livigno, a surprising halfpipe result in Cortina and a diplomatic storm after a skeleton athlete was disqualified for wearing a commemorative helmet. The action reshuffled expectations and left plenty of storylines to follow as the Games move forward.
Hämmerle nabs back‑to‑back snowboard cross gold in photo finish
In one of the tightest conclusions of the day, Austria’s Alessandro Hämmerle edged Canada’s Eliot Grondin by the slimmest of margins to claim consecutive Olympic golds in men’s snowboard cross. The big final came down to a three‑hundredths‑of‑a‑second margin at the finish, with Hämmerle slipping past after trailing for much of the race and delivering when it mattered most. Jacob Dusek of Austria completed the podium, turning the result into an all‑European fight for medals.
Seeding drama and the veterans who matter
Seeding runs earlier in the day set the stage for the knockout rounds. Nick Baumgartner, the 44‑year‑old five‑time Olympian from Michigan, opened the session, reminding viewers that veteran presence remains a factor in the sport. Loan Bozzolo of France and reigning world champion Éliot Grondin arrived deep in the draw as expected; Adam Lambert of Australia carried the World Cup standings momentum into his run, and Hämmerle’s experience proved decisive when it counted. The mix of youth and long‑established names made the bracket unpredictable through every round.
Halfpipe upset and Team USA’s mixed fortunes
In Cortina, the halfpipe final delivered a headline result as 17‑year‑old Choi Gaon stunned the field with a sparkling 90. 25 on her final run to take gold. Two‑time defending champion Chloe Kim settled for silver, denied a third straight Olympic crown but still on the podium. The day offered a snapshot of transition in the sport: emerging stars punching through while established champions remain central to the narrative. American depth continues to show, and observers will be watching for other U. S. athletes — including names such as corinne stoddard — who could rise in the remaining events.
Skeleton disqualification sparks diplomatic fallout
The skeleton competition was marred by a high‑profile disqualification when an athlete was accused of continuing to wear a helmet commemorating Ukrainian athletes lost since the onset of the invasion. The athlete was removed from the official accreditation list and later shown with a DSQ next to his name on the start list. Emotions ran high at the track in Cortina, where the absence of the athlete from competition was visibly felt and family members were consoled. The athlete has filed an appeal and described feeling empty in a text message; the situation has prompted exchanges between team representatives and Games leadership and remains unresolved.
Small margins, big implications — what’s next
Races decided by hundredths of seconds and off‑track controversies underline how finely balanced these Games have become. Snowboard cross will move into the knockout phases with favorites and dark horses jockeying for position, while sliding disciplines in Cortina must contend with the added layer of political sensitivity. Men’s hockey opened with convincing wins for North American teams, and athletes who faltered here will have short turnaround times to regroup.
With medal events stacked across venues over the coming days, the mix of veteran poise and youthful daring will continue to shape the podium picture. Expect more tight finishes in Livigno’s snowboard cross course and continued scrutiny over decisions that reach beyond sport in Cortina. The field remains wide open, and the smallest margins are likely to decide who stands on the podium when the dust settles.
