BRONZE FOR ASHLEY FARQUHARSON AT 2026 OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES

CORTINA d’AMPEZZO, Italy—Ashley Farquharson won the bronze medal in women’s singles today at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, cementing her legacy in USA Luge history as one of three singles athletes to win a medal at the Winter Games. Farquharson (Park City, Utah) now joins Chris Mazdzer, the men’s singles silver medalist at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games, and Erin Hamlin, the first USA Luge athlete to win a singles medal, a bronze, at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games. Today’s medal brings the total Olympic medal count for USA Luge to seven, with three silver and four bronze. 

"I feel amazing. This feels unbelievable. I still feel a little bit like I'm dreaming,” said Farquharson after receiving her medal in front of family and friends at the Cortina Sliding Centre. "It was the first time that I felt competitive at the Olympics, so it was a lot of managing my emotions and making sure that I was ready to perform at exactly the right time. I feel like I did a very good job. And I really, really put my game face on and threw down. When I came into the outrun and I saw the [number] one, I knew that I guaranteed a medal. It seriously felt like I was dreaming. It did not feel real.”

Farquharson won the bronze with a time of three minutes 31.582 seconds. Julia Taubitz of Germany won the gold medal following four consistent runs, one of which was a track record. The eight-time World Champion, Taubitz crossed the finish line in 3:30.625. The silver medal was won by Elina Bota of Latvia in 3:31.543.

Emily Fischnaller (Lake Placid, N.Y.) began the day in eighth place, but some mistakes during today’s runs resulted in a 12th place finish with a time of 3:33.035 for the three-time Olympian. Four-time Olympian and seven World Cup victory holder Summer Britcher was in 12th place following the first two runs. Britcher (Glen Rock, Pa.) made some additional mistakes today resulting in a 14th place finish with a time of 3:33.553.

“Clearly it's a bummer that my last run went the way it did, but I have to walk away being proud,” said Fischnaller. “I think I gave so much. I gave it all, I left it all out there. I think that there's been a lot of moments of peace going into this race where I found a lot of happiness. I had that same setup going into that last run. I would be more upset if I played it really safe and then walked away with a clean run with the same time so I can be proud knowing that I didn't leave anything back.”

“When I decided to keep going, I wanted it to be about the journey and not the medal,” said Britcher. "I didn't want to be four years down the road without a medal, feeling like it was pointless to have gone through it all. So as much as I really, really wanted one, I didn't come here for a medal. I just didn't feel very good yesterday and today. Normally, I really, really love racing. I still enjoyed it, but I just didn't feel at my best, and I'm proud of the work that I put in to get here. A year ago, no one would have guessed that I would have even had a chance at a medal. So to be standing here heartbroken is privilege to have gotten back up there. I'll be okay."

The 2026 Winter Games continues tomorrow the men’s and women’s doubles, and the team relay on February 12. NBC and Peacock will be covering all luge events.

Doubles training concludes

Today marked the final session of doubles training. Based on the training sessions, the race tomorrow lookls like it will be a classic, with both U.S. men's sleds in the mix. Forgan and Kirkby also looked solid in training for women's doubles.

Training times can be seen here. Below are quotes from ath doubles athletes after today's training session.

Chevonne Forgan: We're feeling good and we're just looking to have two clean runs. This track is deceptively difficult. It looks very easy, but there's a lot of spots where things can get a little crazy, so we're just looking to relax, enjoy ourselves, and put down our best.

 
Sophia Kirkby: I think Chev explained it very well what our goals are and what we're hoping for in the future. As for me, I'm just looking to have fun and do my best.

Ansel Haugsjaa: There’s still a lot to work on, but finally today, on that last run, it felt like some stuff started to come together for us, finding a little bit more of that flow that you always hope for. So getting closer, hopefully just keeps building to the race. 

Marcus Mueller: I'm excited to race. It's our first Olympics, so I'm so happy to be here and we're going to give it our all tomorrow. I can't wait!

Zack DiGregorio: I’m feeling good. The sliding was good today. Starts weren't where we wanted them, but there's room to improve there. Both U.S. teams have speed, so we're excited for it.

Sean Hollander: The runs are good, the track is great. Just got to put it all together tomorrow.