Winter Olympics 2022 – Erin Jackson makes history, Kaillie Humphries in medal hunt, USA hockey downs Germany and more updates

Erin Jackson has won the 500-meter speedskating gold at the 2022 Winter Olympics, becoming the first American to win the event since 1994. Elsewhere, USA men’s hockey booked a bye into the quarterfinals with a win over Germany.

Earlier in the action, monobob made its Olympic debut.

Monobob follows the basics of bobsledding, but instead of two- and four-person teams, this sled run is a solo mission. It is also an Olympic event only for women. The sleds are smaller and lighter than a traditional four-person sled, but that doesn’t make it easier.

On Sunday in Beijing, Kaillie Humphries and Elana Meyers Taylor raced in the first two heats in monobob, with Humphries ending atop the standings and Meyers Taylor in fourth, with two more runs to go tomorrow.

In other events in Beijing, freeski superstar Eileen Gu, who won big air on Tuesday, was slated to compete in slopestyle qualifying, but the competition was postponed because of heavy snowfall and wind in Beijing. We’re awaiting the new schedule.

We have live updates here:

Jackson makes history

Team USA’s Erin Jackson won a brilliant gold in the women’s 500-meter speed skating on Sunday.

Jackson, 29, went in the penultimate pair, and her time of 26.71 seconds was enough to see her take gold ahead of early leader Takagi Miho. She started quickly, beating Takagi’s first split by 0.02 seconds. She maintained that to win by 0.08 seconds.

It was a remarkable performance from Jackson in what is the United States’ first speed skating gold since Shani Davis won the men’s 1,000 at Vancouver 2010.

U.S. hockey stays perfect

The U.S. won Group A and earned a bye into the quarterfinals with a 3-2 win over Germany in their men’s hockey preliminary-round finale Sunday.

The Americans entered the game needing only a win or a regulation tie to secure the top seed in their group. They finished with a 3-0-0 record and won’t play again until Wednesday. — Greg Wyshynski

Nathan Smith is on the board! 🇺🇸