Alex Ferreira, a 31-year-old from Aspen, Colorado, recently took home the gold medal in the freeski halfpipe at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. This victory completes Ferreira’s medal collection, as he had previously earned a silver and a bronze in past Winter Games.
For Team USA, Ferreira’s win marks the tenth gold medal of these Olympics. This achievement ties the U.S. with the all-time record for golds, previously set in 2002 during the Salt Lake City Winter Games, according to Olympic historian Bill Mallon.
The competition has showcased several talented athletes. Ferreira’s victory adds to a streak of golds that began with alpine skier Breezy Johnson on February 8. Other gold medalists from the U.S. include Mikaela Shiffrin, Elana Meyers-Taylor, Alysia Liu, Elizabeth Lemley, the U.S. women’s ice hockey team, and speedskater Jordan Stolz, who stands out as the only American to win two individual golds in these Games.
As of now, the U.S. ranks second in the overall medal count, trailing Norway, which has won 17 gold medals. This figure breaks their own previous record from the 2022 Beijing Games, where they secured 16 golds. This year’s showdown is a testament to the skill and determination of winter athletes.
Fans can follow the build-up to more events, as U.S. athletes still have chances to extend their medal tally. Upcoming competitions include speedskater Jordan Stolz in the mass start and bobsledder Elana Meyers-Taylor in the two-person race. The U.S. men’s ice hockey team is also on track for a shot at gold this Sunday.
Recent data from the International Olympic Committee shows that interest in winter sports is growing, with viewership numbers up 15% from the last Games. This rise in engagement likely reflects the excitement and fierce competition taking place in Milano Cortina.
