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Day 14 of the Milano-Cortina Winter Games marks a significant day for Canada.
Canadian enthusiasts will be closely following the men’s hockey team as they compete in the semifinals against Finland. Additionally, attention will be on Rachel Homan’s women’s curling semifinal performance, and Marielle Thompson’s pursuit of her third Olympic medal in ski cross. Moreover, Canada has promising opportunities for gold in short-track speed skating, with both Courtney Sarault and Steven Dubois having the chance to equal Canadian medal records.
Let’s delve into these events and more in our daily viewing guide.
Key Canadian Athletes to Watch on Friday
In chronological order:
Freestyle skiing: Marielle Thompson in the women’s ski cross (final at 7:10 a.m. ET)
Marielle Thompson, one of Canada’s most accomplished ski cross racers, has a remarkable track record with an Olympic gold in 2014, a silver in 2022, and a world championship title in 2019. After a challenging season due to a knee injury, Thompson made a strong comeback, securing two World Cup bronze medals last month. The 33-year-old also had the honor of bearing the Canadian flag at the Olympic opening ceremony alongside moguls star Mikael Kingsbury.
Canada is also represented by Hannah Schmidt, ranked ninth in the World Cup standings, and Britt Phelan, ranked 12th. Although neither has clinched a medal this season, they are set to compete in the event.
The frontrunner in the competition is Sweden’s Sandra Naeslund, a dominant force in ski cross with an impressive record. The event commences with a time trial for seeding at 4 a.m. ET, followed by the four-skier elimination races starting at 6 a.m. ET, culminating in the final at 7:10 a.m. ET.
Women’s curling: Canada vs. Sweden in the semifinals at 8:05 a.m. ET
Rachel Homan, the back-to-back world champion, faces high stakes in the semifinals after a challenging start to the tournament. The Canadian team recovered from a 1-3 beginning with four consecutive wins, securing a spot in the semifinals. Homan and her team displayed resilience, defeating South Korea in a crucial match to advance. Canada will compete against Sweden, who they previously defeated in the round robin stage.
Notably, the men’s bronze game between Norway and Switzerland is scheduled for Friday at 1:05 p.m. ET.
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