The icy tracks of Milan-Cortina delivered plenty of drama on Day 4 of the 2026 Winter Olympics, but few stories were as compelling as Emily Fischnaller’s rollercoaster finish in the women’s singles luge. The 32-year-old veteran, representing Team USA at her third Olympics, found herself on the brink of a career-best result—only to have fate throw a familiar curve her way.
Fischnaller, Maine-born and Connecticut-raised, had been sitting in fifth place after three runs, tantalizingly close to a historic finish and just a heartbeat away from the medal contenders. Yet as she launched down the course for her final run, the sport’s unforgiving nature reared its head. Midway through the icy chute, Fischnaller’s sled veered, skidding wildly before making contact with the wall. For a moment, the sled turned nearly sideways, a heart-stopping echo of her infamous crash at PyeongChang in 2018—a crash that left her with a broken neck and back, and months of physical and mental recovery.
Despite the setback, Fischnaller managed to regain control and complete her run, clocking a total time of 3:33.035. The costly error knocked her out of the Top 10, but she still achieved her best-ever Olympic finish, ending the competition in 12th place. “Clearly it's a bummer that my last run went the way it did, but I have to walk away being proud,” Fischnaller told reporters after the race. “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.”
Her journey to this moment has been anything but straightforward. Fischnaller’s Olympic debut in 2018 ended in disaster with her catastrophic crash, sidelining her from training for six months and leaving her to battle not just physical injuries but lingering mental scars. “The crashes are part of the sport,” she reflected in a recent interview, “but 2018 took time to recover from mentally, as well. I had fear, following the crash.” Still, she returned to the circuit, determined to push past the pain and the doubts.
At the 2022 Beijing Games, Fischnaller’s fortunes didn’t improve much—she crashed again, crossing the finish line on her stomach and finishing 26th overall. Yet, as she geared up for Milan-Cortina, she revealed a newfound sense of calm and acceptance. “I don't really have a chip on my shoulder about anything like going into these games, which is really nice. And, this time it just feels really freeing,” she explained. “I don't have any expectations or something that I feel like should have gone differently. I'm just like at peace with everything.”
Fischnaller’s story is also one of evolution. Once focused solely on speed, she’s become a student of control and craft, spending hours in the workshop fine-tuning her sled. “I think in the past we were just trying to go for speed, speed, speed, and now I need speed and control,” she said. “Because without the control, yes, I was always able to throw down some incredible runs before, but now I'm having performances that are more complete because I'm looking for more stability through my choices and what we're putting on my sled.”
Her technical know-how has grown to the point where she jokes, “I know way too much about sandpaper and sanding and nuts and bolts and fiberglass than I should.” But for Fischnaller, her real gift lies in her connection to the sled. “I guess that's my talent in luge is my feeling. It's also been my downfall at different points because I read a lot of information on the sled to body.”
That sensitivity, though, is what keeps her coming back. “I love that moment. Right when they clear the track, and the clock goes green, that's when everything, everything falls away,” Fischnaller shared. “I pull my face shield down. That's a feeling that I don't find anywhere else.”
Back on the track, Fischnaller’s American teammate Ashley Farquharson made history of her own, capturing the bronze medal in women’s singles luge. It’s only the second time an American has medaled in the event, a feat that drew cheers from teammates and fans alike. The gold went to Germany’s Julia Taubitz, who proved untouchable throughout the competition. For the U.S. luge program, Farquharson’s medal is a landmark, and for Fischnaller, it’s a testament to the depth of American talent on the ice.
Elsewhere on Day 4, the United States continued to rack up medals across disciplines. Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse claimed silver in curling mixed doubles, with Thiesse becoming the first American female curler to medal at the Olympics. In women’s hockey, Team USA dominated Canada with a 5-0 win to secure the top spot in Group A, remaining undefeated. Alpine skiing and freestyle events also saw American athletes on the podium, with Jacqueline Wiles and Paula Moltzan surprising favorites Mikaela Shiffrin and Breezy Johnson for bronze in the women’s combined, and Alex Hall and Ben Ogden each taking home silver in their respective disciplines.
For Fischnaller, though, the Milan-Cortina Games will be remembered for more than just the numbers. At 32, as the oldest member of Team USA Luge, she’s become a symbol of perseverance and resilience. Born in Portland, Maine, and raised in Falmouth before moving to Connecticut at age 10, Fischnaller grew up watching her father coach girls’ hockey, where she first discovered her love for sport. “That's where I fell in love with sport, and the power behind it,” she recalled.
Whether or not she chooses to compete in the Team Relay remains to be seen. But for now, Fischnaller can look back on her Olympic journey with pride—having faced adversity head-on, found peace in the process, and delivered her best-ever Olympic result despite the odds. The luge track may have been unforgiving, but Fischnaller’s spirit remains unbroken, and her story continues to inspire athletes and fans alike.
As the 2026 Winter Olympics roll on in Milan-Cortina, all eyes will be on the next chapter for Team USA’s luge squad—while Fischnaller’s grit and grace serve as a reminder of what it truly means to compete on the world’s biggest stage.