U.S. Wins Mixed Team Aerials, Sets Record 11 Golds at Milan‑Cortina 2026
Updated (3 articles)
Record‑breaking gold haul and overall medal standing The United States captured its 11th gold medal of the Milan‑Cortina Games, surpassing the 2002 Salt Lake City record of ten golds [1][2][3]. The mixed team aerials win lifted the U.S. total to 31 medals, placing the nation second overall behind Norway, which holds 40 medals and 18 golds [1][3]. USOPC officials had targeted a top‑three finish on the medals table with roughly 30 medals, a goal the team achieved ahead of schedule [1].
Mixed team aerials victory details and podium finishers Connor Curran, Kaila Kuhn and Christopher Lillis earned 325.35 points to secure gold in the mixed team aerials final [2][3]. Switzerland took silver with 296.91 points, China earned bronze at 279.68, and Australia placed fourth with 256.04 [2][3]. The event required three athletes—at least one man and one woman—and judges scored jumps on air, form and landing according to International Ski Federation rules [2][3].
Athlete backgrounds and first Olympic medals Debutant Connor Curran claimed his first Olympic medal, while veteran Kaila Kuhn added a second Olympic appearance after 2022 and also earned her inaugural medal [2][3]. Christopher Lillis returned as the sole member of the 2022 gold‑medal team, seeking to defend his title and contributing experience to the trio [2][3]. All three athletes delivered near‑perfect jumps that propelled the United States to the top of the podium [2][3].
USOPC leadership emphasizes breadth strategy Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, highlighted the organization’s focus on winning across a wide range of winter sports rather than concentrating on a few disciplines [1]. Fin Kirwan, chief of Olympic sport for the USOPC, reiterated the medal‑target goal and praised athletes for delivering on their potential [1].
Freeskiing, speedskating and expanded program boost gold count The United States’ gold‑medal tally was bolstered by two golds each in freeskiing and speedskating, with Jordan Stolz becoming only the second man to win both the 500‑meter and 1,000‑meter speedskating events [1]. The 2026 Winter Games feature 38 additional medal events compared with 2002, many in snowpark disciplines, expanding opportunities for U.S. athletes to add to the historic gold total [1][3].
Sources
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1.
AP: U.S. Sets Record with 11th Gold Medal at Milan‑Cortina 2026 Winter Games – Details the mixed aerials win, overall medal count, USOPC strategy, and contributions from freeskiing and speedskating, emphasizing the expanded event program .
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2.
WBNS: USA clinches gold in mixed team aerials, setting record at 2026 Winter Olympics – Focuses on the mixed team aerials score, athlete debut status, and the podium order, explaining the event format and scoring .
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3.
King5: U.S. Team Wins Gold in Mixed Team Aerials, Sets Winter Games Gold Record – Highlights the back‑to‑back aerials victory, athlete medal histories, format specifics, and the impact of the 38 new events on the U.S. record .
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Timeline
2002 – The United States sets the Winter Olympic gold‑medal record with ten golds at the Salt Lake City Games, a benchmark that stands for 24 years [1].
2022 – Team USA wins its first mixed team aerials gold in Beijing, establishing a back‑to‑back title opportunity for 2026 [3].
2026 (program rollout) – The Milan‑Cortina schedule adds 38 medal events versus 2002, expanding snow‑park disciplines and enabling Japan to overtake the U.S. in snowboarding medals [1].
Feb 21, 2026 – Connor Curran, Kaila Kuhn and Christopher Lillis capture mixed team aerials gold with 325.35 points, giving the United States a record‑breaking 11th gold at a single Winter Games [2][3].
Feb 21, 2026 – Switzerland earns silver (296.91 pts), China bronze (279.68 pts) and Australia finishes fourth (256.04 pts) in the mixed team aerials final [2].
Feb 21, 2026 – The United States climbs to 31 total medals, second only to Norway’s 40 medals and 18 golds, as the Games progress [1].
Feb 21, 2026 – USOPC chief executive Sarah Hirshland stresses a “breadth…we want to win in everything” strategy behind the medal surge [1].
Feb 21, 2026 – USOPC sport chief Fin Kirwan notes the team met its podium‑nation target of a top‑three finish with about 30 medals, delivering on athletes’ potential [1].
Feb 21, 2026 – Speedskater Jordan Stolz becomes only the second man to win both the 500‑m and 1,000‑m events, contributing two of the U.S. golds [1].
Feb 21, 2026 – Freeskiing adds two gold medals, accounting for 18 % of the United States’ gold haul at Milan‑Cortina [1].