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Day 10 of the Milan-Cortina Games offered a clear look at where Team USA is gaining ground and where it is still trying to convert opportunities into medals. Across sliding sports and women’s hockey, American athletes either secured significant results or put themselves in stronger positions for the final week. The mix of an overdue Olympic title, a controlled semifinal performance, and an improving bobsled run created a day that mattered more for its direction than its volume of podium finishes. It was less about adding to the medal table in bulk and more about shaping the storylines that will define the closing stretch.
Elana Meyers Taylor’s monobob gold was the anchor of the day. A five-time Olympian who already owned multiple silver and bronze medals, she had been missing only the top step. Coming from 2nd after three runs to win on her final attempt did not just round out her personal record; it also set a new record. It also underlined that U.S. women’s sliding remains competitive with the best programs in the world, especially after Kaillie Humphries added bronze in the same race.
On the ice, the U.S. women’s hockey team produced a short but decisive surge in its semifinal, scoring three times in roughly two and a half minutes to pull away from Sweden and advance to the gold medal game. In bobsled, Frank Del Duca and Joshua Williamson closed Run 2 of the two-man event in 4th place and just a tenth of a second off bronze, which keeps them firmly inside the medal conversation heading into the final heats.
Here are Team USA’s top highlights from Monday, February 16.
Feb 16, 2026; Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy; Frankie del Duca and Joshua Williamson of the United States during two-man bobsleigh during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Cortina Sliding Centre. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images
Frank Del Duca and Joshua Williamson ended the second run of the two-man bobsled in 4th place, the same position they held after the opener. The key development was time: they cut into the gap ahead and now sit only a tenth of a second behind the sled in bronze-medal position. That margin is small enough that one clean, efficient run could change the order on the final day. For a U.S. bobsled program that has been working to get back into regular podium contention, staying this close after two runs is a meaningful step.
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Feb 16, 2026; Milan, Italy; Kendall Coyne (26) of the United States celebrates after the game against Sweden in a women’s ice hockey semifinal during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
The U.S. women’s hockey team turned a tight semifinal against Sweden into a comfortable win with a run of three goals in about two and a half minutes. That burst separated the teams on the scoreboard and reflected a clear advantage in speed and depth once the Americans settled into their offensive rhythm. The ability to generate that kind of stretch scoring is important in a gold medal game, where chances are typically harder to come by. Entering the final on the back of a confident, multi-line performance is an encouraging sign for a group expected to contend for the title.
MORE: Team USA highlights from Sunday, February 15 at 2026 Winter Olympics
Feb 16, 2026; Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy; Elana Meyers Taylor of the United States celebrates with the gold medal after winning the women’s bobsleigh monobob competition during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Cortina Sliding Centre. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images
Elana Meyers Taylor, competing at her fifth Olympics, finally added a gold medal to a collection that already included several silvers and bronzes. She began the final day of the women’s monobob event in 2nd place and needed a strong closing run to reach the top of the standings. Delivering that performance at the last opportunity gave her the win and placed another American at the top of an Olympic sliding podium. With Kaillie Humphries earning bronze from the same race, the result also highlighted the depth and quality of U.S. women’s bobsled at these Games.
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Feb 16, 2026; Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy; Elana Meyers Taylor of the United States and Kaillie Armbruster Humphries of the United States celebrate after placing first and third in the women’s bobsleigh monobob competition during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Cortina Sliding Centre. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images
Monday did not add a long list of American medals, but it delivered one significant gold and set up realistic podium chances in other events. Meyers Taylor’s breakthrough, the women’s hockey surge, and a promising bobsled position combined to give Team USA both immediate reward and visible momentum heading into the final week in Milan and Cortina.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —
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The post Team USA highlights from Monday, February 16 at 2026 Winter Olympics appeared first on The Big Lead.
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Elana Meyers Taylor’s monobob gold was the anchor of the day. A five-time Olympian who already owned multiple silver and bronze medals, she had been missing only the top step. Coming from 2nd after three runs to win on her final attempt did not just round out her personal record; it also set a new record. It also underlined that U.S. women’s sliding remains competitive with the best programs in the world, especially after Kaillie Humphries added bronze in the same race.
On the ice, the U.S. women’s hockey team produced a short but decisive surge in its semifinal, scoring three times in roughly two and a half minutes to pull away from Sweden and advance to the gold medal game. In bobsled, Frank Del Duca and Joshua Williamson closed Run 2 of the two-man event in 4th place and just a tenth of a second off bronze, which keeps them firmly inside the medal conversation heading into the final heats.
Here are Team USA’s top highlights from Monday, February 16.
U.S. in medal contention after Run 2 of two-man bobsled
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Feb 16, 2026; Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy; Frankie del Duca and Joshua Williamson of the United States during two-man bobsleigh during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Cortina Sliding Centre. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images
Frank Del Duca and Joshua Williamson ended the second run of the two-man bobsled in 4th place, the same position they held after the opener. The key development was time: they cut into the gap ahead and now sit only a tenth of a second behind the sled in bronze-medal position. That margin is small enough that one clean, efficient run could change the order on the final day. For a U.S. bobsled program that has been working to get back into regular podium contention, staying this close after two runs is a meaningful step.
RELATED: 8 unique Winter Olympics rules that will surprise you
U.S. women’s hockey nets 3 consecutive goals in semifinals
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Feb 16, 2026; Milan, Italy; Kendall Coyne (26) of the United States celebrates after the game against Sweden in a women’s ice hockey semifinal during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
The U.S. women’s hockey team turned a tight semifinal against Sweden into a comfortable win with a run of three goals in about two and a half minutes. That burst separated the teams on the scoreboard and reflected a clear advantage in speed and depth once the Americans settled into their offensive rhythm. The ability to generate that kind of stretch scoring is important in a gold medal game, where chances are typically harder to come by. Entering the final on the back of a confident, multi-line performance is an encouraging sign for a group expected to contend for the title.
MORE: Team USA highlights from Sunday, February 15 at 2026 Winter Olympics
Elana Meyers Taylor wins stunning monobob gold medal
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Feb 16, 2026; Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy; Elana Meyers Taylor of the United States celebrates with the gold medal after winning the women’s bobsleigh monobob competition during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Cortina Sliding Centre. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images
Elana Meyers Taylor, competing at her fifth Olympics, finally added a gold medal to a collection that already included several silvers and bronzes. She began the final day of the women’s monobob event in 2nd place and needed a strong closing run to reach the top of the standings. Delivering that performance at the last opportunity gave her the win and placed another American at the top of an Olympic sliding podium. With Kaillie Humphries earning bronze from the same race, the result also highlighted the depth and quality of U.S. women’s bobsled at these Games.
KEEP READING: Biggest controversies of the 2026 Winter Olympics so far
Final lap: A focused but important Day 10 for Team USA
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Feb 16, 2026; Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy; Elana Meyers Taylor of the United States and Kaillie Armbruster Humphries of the United States celebrate after placing first and third in the women’s bobsleigh monobob competition during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Cortina Sliding Centre. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images
Monday did not add a long list of American medals, but it delivered one significant gold and set up realistic podium chances in other events. Meyers Taylor’s breakthrough, the women’s hockey surge, and a promising bobsled position combined to give Team USA both immediate reward and visible momentum heading into the final week in Milan and Cortina.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —
OLYMPICS: 2026 Winter Olympics medal count, standings entering February 16
NFL Draft: 3 shocking 2026 NFL Combine snubs, full list of prospects attending
NFL: Tennessee Titans’ new logo leaked in Fanatics mishap?
ENTERTAINMENT: Logan Paul’s Pikachu Illustrator sale price sets Guinness World Record
NEWS: Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case reportedly gets DNA breakthrough
VIRAL: Chloe Kim ‘obsessed’ with $100k gift from NFL star Myles Garrett after Olympics
The post Team USA highlights from Monday, February 16 at 2026 Winter Olympics appeared first on The Big Lead.
Continue reading...
