2026 Winter Olympics updates: Team USA dominates women’s hockey, holds lead in figure skating after Day 1

Team USA made an immediate impact on the first full day of competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics, headlined by another one-sided performance from the women’s hockey team and a five-point lead in figure skating’s team event that sets up a pivotal Sunday.

The Americans cruised past Finland 5-0 in preliminary round play, improving to 2-0 and once again controlling the game in every zone. Team USA outshot Finland 49-11, spent most of the afternoon in the offensive end and never allowed the Finns to seriously threaten the outcome.

Hilary Knight continued to climb the U.S. record books. The captain’s second-period goal tied the American Olympic record with her 14th career tally, putting her alongside Natalie Darwitz and Katie King.

Knight, appearing in her fifth Olympic Games, remains a driving force for a team that has now won 18 straight Olympic games against non-Canada opponents, a run that stretches back nearly two decades.

Away from the rink, Team USA sits in first place after Day 1 of the figure skating team event. The Americans lead Japan heading into Sunday’s free skates, thanks in large part to ice dance, where Madison Chock and Evan Bates posted a massive score to counter Japan’s edge in singles. Ilia Malinin and Alysa Liu both finished second in their short programs, keeping the U.S. in position to contend for its first gold medal of the Games.

Snowboarding produced one of the day’s tightest finishes. Seventeen-year-old Ollie Martin placed fourth in men’s Big Air, missing the podium by just 5.5 points in his Olympic debut. Martin recovered from a missed first jump to post two strong scores — and did so while competing with a broken arm. He’ll get another shot in slopestyle later in the week.

2026 Winter Olympics medal count: Keep track of Team USA’s quest for gold in Italy

Austin Nivison

Sunday’s schedule ramps up early with the downhill final at 5:30 a.m. ET, where Lindsey Vonn is expected to race. The 41-year-old is returning from a torn ACL she suffered on Jan. 30 and completed a second successful training run Saturday with no setbacks.

Here’s a look back at everything Team USA accomplished on Saturday, with all the key results and highlights from the first full day of competition.