Eileen Gu: eileen gu wins postponed halfpipe as Milan Cortina day ends
eileen gu started Day 16 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics by winning the postponed women's freeski halfpipe final, taking her third career gold medal — her third medal of any color of these Games — with a monster 94. 75 score. The closing ceremony is scheduled for later today as the Games wind down.
Eileen Gu's halfpipe win
Eileen Gu captured the postponed women's freeski halfpipe title on Day 16 with a single-run top mark of 94. 75. The result was described in coverage as a monster score and marked her third career gold medal; it was also noted as her third medal of any color of these Games.
Jack Hughes and men's hockey
In the men's hockey final, the United States beat Canada when Jack Hughes scored within two minutes of overtime starting after the match was tied 1-1. The U. S. men's hockey team won Olympic gold for the first time since 1980.
Ebba Andersson wins 50km
Ebba Andersson took the first of two Swedish final-day golds by winning the women's cross-country skiing 50km mass start. Her victory came before her compatriots won the women's curling final, completing Sweden's pair of final-day golds.
German one-two in bobsled
On the sliding track there was a German one-two in the 4-man bobsled, completing the day's set of sliding medals alongside other final events.
Closing ceremony at Arena di Verona
One hour away from the closing ceremony starting, more people were filing into the Arena di Verona. Observers noted still lots of empty seats as fans braved the cold; it was reported to be 10 C (50 F) and going down precipitously throughout the night. Lots of blue spotlights filled the stage, and commentators said it will be fascinating to see how the intimate amphitheater is used for the ceremony inside the historic colosseum.
Coverage offered a closer look at the hardware athletes were chasing over the past 16 days. A scene-captured moment from earlier in the session showed Austria’s Benjamin Karl, 40, moments after defending his gold in the men’s snowboarding parallel giant slalom. He became the first snowboarder to win four Olympic medals, then took his shirt off, roared and promptly dove into the snow.
Observers in the Arena di Verona also described American fans decked out in Team USA gear wearing American toques to keep warm. For those fans it was a standout day: first watching the U. S. men's hockey team win their first Olympic gold since 1980, then attending the closing ceremony in the historic colosseum.
Elsewhere in commentary, the coverage referenced a 20-year individual medal drought for American women, an eyebrow-raising comeback and the absolute joy witnessed in competition — moments described as the kind that will resonate for years.
eileen gu's gold was listed among the final few events that closed a wonderful fortnight of competition; later this evening the curtain will come down on the Games with the closing ceremony. For readers following live updates, coverage continued to offer results, play-by-play and analysis through the final hours of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Closing note: unclear in the provided context whether any additional ceremonies or specific program details will take place during the closing ceremony beyond the general staging and atmosphere described.
