Milan Cortina: What to watch today in the Winter Olympics (2/9)

The Winter Games have begun in Italy. From the rink to the slopes, a new generation of stars has emerged to chase gold. We’ll keep you connected to all of the thrilling moments and top stories as we track the medal race each day of the Games.

The U.S. curling team bounced back to advance to the semifinals for the first time in team history, while the US women's hockey team and figure skaters look to continue their domination. Erin Jackson and Brittany Bowe look for another medal, while a new face has emerged in the women's freeski slopestyle.

Here are the top five things to watch today at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics:

1. U.S. mixed doubles to compete in first curling semifinal

Survival was the best word to describe Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin's back-to-back wins over Estonia and Sweden in round-robin play on Sunday. After going into Saturday's matchups with a record-setting 4-0 start, the U.S. mixed doubles pair dropped back-to-back matches to undefeated Great Britain and the previously winless South Korea. 

Team USA got back on track on Sunday. They defeated Estonia's Marie Kaldvee and Harri Lill and Sweden's Isabella and Rasmus Wranaa to clinch a semifinal berth for the first time in team history.

The U.S. enters Monday 6-2, in second place behind 7-0 Great Britain's Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Moua. Thiesse and Dropkin have one more round-robin matchup against Italy before the semifinals begin later in the day.

2. Will Hilary Knight break the Olympic scoring record against Switzerland?

The U.S. women's hockey team is off to a commanding start, entering Monday's matchup against 1-1 Switzerland undefeated at 2-0. Only Sweden (3-0) has a better record. Each of Team USA's games has featured a balanced attack, scoring five goals in each game.

In Saturday's 5-0 shutout over Finland, Hilary Knight made history, tying the Olympic record for the most goals by an American women's hockey history, with 14. It was her second goal of these Games, and it's only a matter of time until she shatters that record, and then some.

3. Madison Chock, Evan Bates aim to turn three straight world titles into Olympic gold

Team USA duo Madison Chock and Evan Bates will look to continue their domination when they enter Monday's rhythm dance portion of the individual ice dance competition. On Friday and Saturday, they posted the top scores in the rhythm dance and free dance portions of the team event, helping push the U.S. over the edge to take gold on Sunday.

While Chock and Bates have won three straight world championships, they have no individual Olympic medals, finishing just off the podium at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 Games.

4. Erin Jackson, Brittany Bowe look to medal in speed skating

U.S. speed skaters Erin Jackson and Brittany Bowe will begin their quest to repeat as medalists in this year's Winter Olympics with the women's 1000m on Monday. Jackson won gold in the 500m in 2022, while Bowe won bronze in 2022 (1000) and 2018 (team pursuit).

This is a special Olympics for longtime friends Jackson and Bowe. Jackson, 33, was a U.S. flag bearer in the Opening Ceremony. This will be the 37-year-old Bowe's final time competing in the Winter Olympics.

5. One of Team USA's youngest competitors looks to make a name for herself

Seventeen-year-old Avery Krumme qualified for Monday's women's freeski slopestyle final after finishing fourth in the qualification run. She looks to become the first American to medal in the history of the event.

Krumme was born in Canada and switched her nationality to represent the United States in 2024.

But she'll have to compete with Eileen Gu, American born but competing for China. Gu is the favorite and silver medalist in Beijing.

Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 (Day 3)

Alpine Skiing

Men's team combined

• 4:30 a.m.: Downhill (USA Network)

• 7:50 a.m.: Slalom (USA Network coverage begins at 8 a.m.)🏅

Curling

Mixed doubles round-robin

• 4:05 a.m.: Switzerland vs. Canada, Italy vs. USA, Norway vs. South Korea, Czechia vs. Estonia

• 12:05 p.m.: Semifinals (airs on CNBC at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.)

Figure Skating

• 10:20 a.m.: Rhythm dance (USA Network)

Freestyle Skiing

Slopestyle

• 6:30 a.m.: Women’s final (USA Network)🏅

Hockey

Women's pool play

• 6:10 a.m.: Japan vs. Italy

• 10:40 a.m: Germany vs. France (USA Network coverage begins at 12 p.m.)

• 2:40 p.m.: USA vs. Switzerland (USA Network)

• 3:10 p.m.: Canada vs. Czechia

Luge

Women's singles

• 11 a.m.: Run 1 (USA Network)

• 1 p.m.: Run 2 (USA Network)

Ski Jumping

Normal hill

• 1 p.m.: Men’s final (airs on USA Network at 5:30 p.m.)🏅

Snowboarding

Big air

• 1:30 p.m.: Women’s final (NBC)🏅

Speed Skating

1000 meters

• 11:30 a.m.: Women’s final (USA Network)🏅