Team Canada Shines on Day 5 of Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics

Ice dancers Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier capture bronze, while other Canadian athletes impress across multiple events

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:54am

A cubist-style painting featuring fragmented, overlapping geometric shapes in vibrant red and white hues, representing the dynamic movements and energy of a Canadian ice dance performance.The captivating ice dance performance by Canada's Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier is deconstructed into a cubist masterpiece, capturing the raw emotion and technical brilliance of their bronze medal-winning routine.Today in Pittsburgh

Day 5 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics was a banner day for Team Canada, highlighted by a stunning bronze medal performance in ice dance by Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier. Their free dance routine, filled with raw emotion and technical brilliance, earned them a score of 131.56 and an overall total of 217.74. Elsewhere, MaÏa Schwinghammer narrowly missed the podium in women's moguls, while speed skater Laurent Dubreuil, curler Brad Jacobs, and several other Canadian athletes turned in impressive showings.

Why it matters

The Canadian team's success on Day 5 showcased the depth and versatility of the country's Winter Olympic talent, with athletes excelling across a wide range of disciplines. The ice dance medal, in particular, highlighted the power of perseverance and passion in the face of pressure, inspiring fans and fellow competitors alike.

The details

In the ice dance competition, Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier delivered a performance that left the audience in awe. Their free dance routine, which incorporated raw emotion and technical mastery, earned them a score of 131.56 and an overall total of 217.74, securing the bronze medal. Elsewhere, MaÏa Schwinghammer, making her Olympic debut, finished fifth in the women's moguls event with a score of 77.61, just 0.39 points shy of the podium. Speed skater Laurent Dubreuil, who won silver in Beijing 2022, finished eighth in the men's 1000m, clocking a time faster than his previous medal-winning performance. The men's curling team, led by skip Brad Jacobs, secured a nail-biting 7-6 victory over Germany in an extra end, setting the tone for what promises to be a thrilling tournament.

  • Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier's free dance routine earned them a score of 131.56 and an overall total of 217.74.
  • MaÏa Schwinghammer finished fifth in the women's moguls event with a score of 77.61.
  • Laurent Dubreuil finished eighth in the men's 1000m speed skating event.
  • Team Canada's men's curling team secured a 7-6 victory over Germany in an extra end.

The players

Piper Gilles

Canadian ice dancer who, along with her partner Paul Poirier, won the bronze medal in the ice dance competition at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

Paul Poirier

Canadian ice dancer who, along with his partner Piper Gilles, won the bronze medal in the ice dance competition at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

MaÏa Schwinghammer

Canadian freestyle skier who finished fifth in the women's moguls event at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, narrowly missing the podium.

Laurent Dubreuil

Canadian speed skater who finished eighth in the men's 1000m event at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, clocking a time faster than his silver-medal performance in Beijing 2022.

Brad Jacobs

Skip of the Canadian men's curling team, who led his team to a 7-6 victory over Germany in an extra end at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

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The takeaway

Day 5 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics was a testament to the resilience, passion, and versatility of Team Canada's athletes. From the ice dancers' historic bronze medal to the near-misses and personal bests across multiple events, the Canadian team's performance showcased the true spirit of the Olympics - where success is measured not just by medals, but by the stories of growth, perseverance, and the pursuit of personal excellence.