Italy continues to add to its medal count at the Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The total now stands at 13, and in terms of overall medals won, Italy is currently tied for first place with Norway: 4 gold, 2 silver, and 7 bronze.
Yesterday Italy celebrated a historic double gold in doubles luge, delivering one of the most memorable moments of the Games on home ice.
In the women’s doubles event – making its Olympic debut in 2026 – Andrea Vötter and Marion Oberhofer made history by becoming the first Olympic champions in the discipline. The Italian pair completed their two runs with a combined time of 1:46.284, securing the gold medal in front of an energized crowd in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Their victory marked a major milestone not only for Italy but for the sport itself, as women’s doubles had never before been included in the Olympic program. The precision of their second run proved decisive, as the final standings were separated by mere hundredths of a second.
Shortly afterward, Italy added a second gold in the men’s doubles luge. Emanuel Rieder and Simon Kainzwaldner delivered an outstanding performance across both heats, finishing with a total time of 1:45.086. Their final descent was nearly flawless, allowing them to edge out their closest rivals by less than 0.10 seconds. The margin between first and third place was under 0.30 seconds, underscoring how tight elite luge competition can be at the Olympic level.
The back-to-back victories gave Italy a clean sweep of the doubles luge titles – a rare achievement at any Winter Games. Winning both events on the same day amplified the significance of the accomplishment, especially with the pressure and expectations that come with competing as the host nation.
For Italy, the two gold medals represented more than podium finishes. They reflected years of development in sliding sports and highlighted the country’s strength on a technically demanding track. The home crowd’s support added to the atmosphere, turning the luge venue into one of the most electric settings of Milano–Cortina 2026 and cementing a landmark chapter in Italian Olympic history.
