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Canada's Olympic Quest: Mixed Results and Promising Foundation

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, February 12th 2026 at 3:25 GMT by Toronto Star
      Locales: ITALY, CANADA

MILAN/CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy - February 12th, 2026 - As the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics enter its sixth day, the Canadian Olympic team continues its quest for medals, experiencing a mix of near-misses, solid performances, and moments of triumph. While the medal count isn't yet reflecting the pre-Games expectations for Canada, a deeper look at the results reveals a promising foundation for success in the remaining events. Today, February 12th, marked a flurry of activity across various disciplines, showcasing both the strength and areas for improvement within the Canadian contingent.

Mixed Results Across the Board

Thursday began with a wave of competition. In speed skating, Ivanie Blondin delivered a strong performance, finishing a heartbreaking fourth in the women's 1,000 meters. While just off the podium, this result underscores Blondin's consistency and potential for a medal later in the Games, potentially in the longer distance events where she historically excels. Elsewhere, Christine de Bruin and Sasha Horne posted a 13th-place finish in the women's monobob, a relatively new Olympic event, demonstrating Canada's growing presence in this discipline. Though not a medal-winning performance, it provides valuable experience for future competitions.

Canada's performance in freestyle skiing saw Marion Theiler of Austria take gold. While not a Canadian athlete, this result highlights the intense competition within the freestyle events and the high caliber of athletes vying for supremacy. Teal Harvie faced a tough field in the women's snowboard cross, finishing 16th. Snowboard cross, known for its unpredictable nature and frequent crashes, requires both skill and luck, and Harvie will undoubtedly look to build on this experience in subsequent races.

Hockey Dominance Continues, Czechia Next

The Canadian men's hockey team continued its dominant run with an impressive 11-0 victory over Switzerland on Wednesday, showcasing their offensive firepower. This victory followed a close 4-3 win against China on Tuesday, suggesting a team capable of both overwhelming opponents and grinding out tight wins. However, the true test lies ahead as they prepare to face Czechia tonight at 2:20 a.m. ET. Czechia is known for its disciplined defense and skilled goaltending, promising a challenging match-up for the Canadians. The game will be crucial for Canada's progression in the tournament.

Curling and Beyond: Steady Progress Needed

On the curling sheet, Rebecca Kadler's team is currently 1-2 after three games in the women's competition. This is a respectable, but not ideal, start. Consistent performance will be key for them to advance to the playoff rounds, where every stone counts. The team will need to find their rhythm and capitalize on opportunities to secure wins against tough opponents.

Outside of the spotlight sports, Canada's athletes are competing across a range of disciplines. Mackenzie Stewart finished 26th in the men's singles luge, Antoine Cyr was 38th in the men's 15km classic cross-country ski race, and Emma Lunderud finished 61st in the women's 10km biathlon. While these results may not immediately translate into medals, they represent important development opportunities for these athletes and demonstrate Canada's commitment to a wide variety of winter sports.

Goggia's Golden Run & the Home Advantage

Italy's Sofia Goggia's gold medal win in the women's downhill alpine skiing was a thrilling moment for the home crowd. The atmosphere in Cortina d'Ampezzo is electric, and the Italian team is clearly benefiting from the support of the passionate fans. This underscores the significant advantage that host nations often enjoy at the Olympics.

Looking Ahead

As the Olympics progress, the pressure mounts on Canada to deliver on its medal potential. The next few days will be critical, with opportunities for success in several key events, including figure skating, more hockey matches, and alpine skiing. While the competition is fierce, the Canadian team appears determined to leave its mark on the Milan-Cortina Games. Fans can expect further updates and in-depth coverage as the pursuit of Olympic glory continues.