Steve Futterman

Canada, minutes away from elimination, was able to tie the game and then, like the U.S., win in overtime.

The two teams now advance to Friday's semifinals.

For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Milan.

When it was over, when she crossed the finish line and realized she had won the gold, Michaela Schifrin says there was a sense of relief.

The frustration of failing to win a single medal in Beijing four years ago could be set aside.

Schifrin had a huge eight-tenths of a second lead after the first run.

The only question was whether she could get through the second run without falling or missing a gate.

At one point during her post-race news conference, Schifrin became emotional talking about her father who died in 2020.

This was her first Olympic medal since his death.

For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Milan.

Olympic medal drought comes to an end in her best event, the women's slalom.

Schifrin led after the first run by more than eight tenths of a second.

When she completed her second run, she remained on top.

After she crossed the finish line, she looked to the video board.

When she saw her name on top, there was a huge smile on her face.

She pumped her arm in the air.

Schifrin last won an Olympic medal in 2018 in Pyeongchang.

It had been a struggle since.

At the age of 30, it is possible this could be her final Olympic event.

For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Milan.