U.S. Records Best Gold Medal Haul at 2026 Winter Games, Vermont and Other States Shine

MILAN — The United States Olympic team capped off a historic showing at the 2026 Milano‑Cortina Winter Games, posting its highest ever gold‑medal total at a Winter Olympics with 12 golds, powered by performances across a wide range of disciplines and contributions from athletes rooted in states big and small.

As the Winter Games drew to a close, the U.S. emerged as a formidable presence on the medal table, placing second behind Norway, which dominated with 18 golds and a total of 41 medals. But for the Americans, the significance of breaking previous records — including surpassing the 10 golds won at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games — marked a notable milestone in a season filled with dramatic triumphs, upsets and spirited competition.

Historic Wins Across Sports

The broad U.S. success spanned the Olympic program, with victories in team and individual events alike. Olympic veterans and rising stars alike made their mark:

• Men’s ice hockey captured gold in a dramatic overtime win over Canada — the first U.S. men’s title in the sport since the famed “Miracle on Ice” in 1980.
• Alpine skiing saw standout performances, including a gold in women’s slalom by Mikaela Shiffrin.
• In speed skating, Jordan Stolz earned multiple medals, anchoring the U.S. on the ice.
• The mixed aerials team secured victory, helping propel the U.S. past previous Winter Games gold totals.

The breadth of these accomplishments underscored a shift toward consistent excellence across disciplines — from skating and skiing to hockey and bobsled.

Vermont Roots, National Impact

Athletes connected with Vermont played a disproportionate role in the American medal haul, despite the state’s small population. Olympians with Vermont ties accounted for more than 20% of the U.S. medals, with achievements ranging from alpine skiing to cross‑country events.

Among the standout stories was Mikaela Shiffrin, whose training at Burke Mountain Academy culminated in a slalom gold, and Ben Ogden, who continued his rise in cross‑country skiing with multiple silver medals, breaking a decades‑long drought for U.S. men in the sport.

Vermont natives and alumni of the University of Vermont also contributed to the team’s success in other disciplines, including freestyle skiing and team combined events, highlighting the state’s role in nurturing winter sports talent.

Beyond a Single State — Nationwide Success

While Vermont’s contingent played a notable role, the U.S. medal story was broader. Athletes hailing from states with deep winter sports traditions — including Colorado and Wisconsin — also pushed the U.S. across the podium.

Colorado, for example, accounted for multiple medals, and Wisconsin’s Stolz became a key figure in the U.S. speed‑skating effort.

This wide geographic contribution reflected how the U.S. Olympic program has diversified and expanded its winter sports reach, producing elite athletes from unexpected corners of the country as well as traditional strongholds.

Record‑Breaking Context

Team USA’s 12 gold medals marked a significant jump from recent Winter Games. In Beijing 2022, the Americans finished with nine golds and 25 total medals — a solid showing but a distant prelude to the record‑setting performance in Italy.

Olympic historians noted that the increase in events — now at 116 medal competitions — has given athletes more opportunities to shine, but the depth and consistency shown by the U.S. team suggest a sustained rise rather than a product of greater event volume alone.

Looking Ahead

As the Winter Games concluded with a vibrant closing ceremony in Verona, attention is already turning toward future competitions, including the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where the U.S. will host the Summer Games and look to further build on this winter success.

For now, the 2026 Milano‑Cortina Games stand as a highlight in American Olympic history — a moment when athletes from Vermont to Wisconsin helped lift the United States to its most gold medals ever in winter sport.