This weekend’s Olympic sports events are drawing attention as the U.S. speed skating trials for the Milan Cortina Games take place in Milwaukee, airing live on NBC Sports and Peacock from Friday through Monday. The trials at the Pettit Center feature standout athletes like Jordan Stolz, who currently holds the top world rankings in the 500m, 1000m, and 1500m categories, and Erin Jackson, the gold medalist from the 2022 Olympics in the women’s 500m event. Although Stolz and Jackson have already secured their Olympic spots based on prior international performances, the final U.S. team roster will be determined by the results of the trials, with two-time Olympic medalist Brittany Bowe among those vying for a place.
In addition to speed skating, the women’s Alpine skiing World Cup is set to occur this weekend in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, featuring giant slalom on Saturday and slalom on Sunday. Star skier Mikaela Shiffrin comes into the event having won her last six World Cup slaloms and is looking to match her personal best streak of wins. Furthermore, Shiffrin is aiming to improve her giant slalom performance, where her top finish this season remains fourth.
Jessie Diggins is also in the spotlight as she leads the Tour de Ski, an intense competition comprising World Cup races. The Tour is currently in its fourth stage out of six, with the concluding stages set to happen at the 2026 Olympic venue of Val di Fiemme, Italy. Notably, Diggins is the only North American athlete to have won the Tour de Ski, achieving this feat in both the 2020-21 and 2023-24 seasons. As she prepares for her final season before retirement, Diggins continues to lead the overall standings in the World Cup not far into the season.
In ski halfpipe, a World Cup event in Calgary will serve as the third of four Olympic qualifying competitions. With the potential for four men and four women to secure spots on the Olympic team, two-time Olympic medalist Alex Ferreira has already clinched his place. Notably, Nick Goepper, a three-time slopestyle medalist, is among eight American competitors who reached the finals.
Bobsledders are also in action, with the World Cup resuming in Winterberg, Germany, over the weekend. Three American female drivers—three-time Olympic gold medalist Kaillie Humphries, 2025 monobob world champion Kaysha Love, and five-time Olympic medalist Elana Meyers Taylor—are ranked among the top seven globally. Their strong performances have them well-positioned for Olympic qualification.
Lastly, the luge World Cup will take place in Sigulda, Latvia, where American women Summer Britcher and Ashley Farquharson previously achieved podium finishes. However, competing in Europe poses a challenge, especially as traditional powerhouses like Germany and Austria dominate the sport. With just two World Cup events remaining before the Olympic team is finalized, American athletes face a crucial test of their skills.
As these events unfold, the excitement and anticipation for the Milan Cortina Games continue to build among athletes and fans alike.