MILAN, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- Norway enjoyed a golden day across multiple disciplines at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on Tuesday, while Italy thrilled home fans by claiming gold in the short track speed skating mixed team relay, one of the most anticipated events of the day.
Italy's quartet of Elisa Confortola, Arianna Fontana, Thomas Nadalini and Pietro Sighel skated a composed final to clock a winning time of two minutes 39.019 seconds. Canada finished second, with Belgium taking bronze.
"We knew we were on a mission. This is our home, and we had to protect it," said Fontana, a three-time Olympic champion.
China narrowly missed the podium, placing fourth in 2:39.601. The Chinese team of Gong Li, Zhang Chutong, Liu Shaoang and Sun Long led early after an aggressive opening by Zhang, but an exchange error allowed Italy back in front. In the closing laps, China was passed by Canada and Belgium.
Norway's dominance in the day was highlighted by Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo's victory in the men's cross-country skiing sprint classic. Klaebo led most of the final and crossed the line in 3:39.74 to secure his second gold medal of the Games, lifting his Olympic tally to seven golds, one silver and one bronze.
"I felt more relaxed today after already winning once," Klaebo said. "That helped me enjoy the race and perform at my best."
In biathlon, Olympic debutant Johan-Olav Botn delivered a flawless shooting performance to win the men's 20-kilometer individual in 51:31.5. France's Eric Perrot took silver, while Norway's Sturla Holm Laegreid added a bronze for the team.
Norway also topped the podium in the men's freestyle skiing slopestyle event, where Birk Ruud secured gold with a decisive opening run of 86.28 points. Challenging weather conditions, including light snowfall and reduced visibility, disrupted much of the field, but Ruud's early score proved untouchable. The victory marked his second Olympic title after winning big air gold at Beijing 2022.
Austria produced one of the day's biggest surprises in alpine skiing, as Ariane Raedler and Katharina Huber claimed gold in the women's team combined event. The underdogs edged out favored teams, while American star Mikaela Shiffrin and Italy's Sofia Goggia both missed the podium. Goggia's bid ended after a crash in the downhill leg on home snow.
Germany also celebrated gold, with Julia Taubitz winning the women's singles luge. The world champion surged into the lead after her second run, setting a new track record, and secured her first Olympic title. Latvia's Elina Bota earned silver, with Ashley Farquharson of the United States taking bronze.
China recorded a historic result in the event, as Wang Peixuan finished 21st to post the country's best-ever Olympic placing. Wang missed out on the final run by one position but said she was encouraged by her overall performance and would turn her focus to the upcoming team relay.
In ski jumping, Slovenia, led by siblings Nika and Domen Prevc, successfully defended its title in the mixed team event. The Slovenian team dominated throughout to claim its first ski jumping gold of the Games.
The final gold medal of the day came in the mixed doubles curling, where Sweden's sibling duo Isabella and Rasmus Wranaa staged a late comeback to edge the United States 6-5, delivering under pressure in the final end to seal the victory, while Italy defeated Britain to take bronze. ■
