Daniel Grassl Secures Historic Bronze and Top-Six Finish at Milano Cortina 2026
London, 13 February 2026 – Italian figure skater Daniel Grassl has cemented his legacy on home ice at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Following a historic bronze medal in the team event earlier this week, Grassl competed in the Men’s Singles Free Skate final today at the Milano Ice Skating Arena. Performing to music from the film “Conclave” and “The Fifth Element”, Grassl delivered a technically ambitious programme featuring three quadruple jumps, ultimately finishing in sixth place overall in a highly competitive field led by American Ilia Malinin.
Olympic Success on Home Soil
Grassl’s 2026 Olympic campaign began with a landmark achievement for Italian figure skating. Alongside teammates including Charlène Guignard, Marco Fabbri, Sara Conti, and Niccolò Macii, Grassl helped Italy secure the bronze medal in the Olympic team event. This marked a significant moment for the host nation, as the team held firm during the free skates to reach the podium.
In the individual Men’s Singles event, Grassl performed strongly in the Short Programme on 10 February, earning a score of 93.46. This placed him in the final group for the Free Skate. During today’s final, Grassl executed a routine that showcased his signature technical difficulty, including his renowned quadruple loop. Although a technical review saw his score adjusted to 170.25 for the segment, his combined performance ensured a top-six finish in front of a passionate home crowd in Milan.
Athlete Profile and Career Milestones
Born in Merano, Daniel Grassl has been a pioneer for Italian men’s figure skating. He was the first European skater to successfully land a quadruple loop in competition and the first Italian man to win an ISU Grand Prix event. After a period of training away from the ice and attending university in Turin during 2024 and 2025, Grassl returned to peak form for his home Olympic Games.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Daniel Grassl |
| Date of Birth | 4 April 2002 |
| Place of Birth | Merano, Italy |
| 2026 Olympic Achievement | Bronze Medal (Team Event) |
| 2026 Men’s Singles Result | 6th Place |
| Major Honours | 2022 European Silver Medalist, Five-time Italian National Champion |
| Technical Milestone | First European to perform a Quadruple Loop |
Frequently Asked Questions
What music did Daniel Grassl use for his 2026 Olympic Free Skate?
Grassl utilised a selection of music intended to honour Italian culture and cinematic history, featuring pieces from the movie “Conclave” and the science-fiction classic “The Fifth Element”.
How many medals has Daniel Grassl won at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
As of 13 February 2026, Daniel Grassl has won one medal: a bronze in the Figure Skating Team Event representing Italy.
Where does Daniel Grassl train?
While Grassl has trained at various international centres throughout his career, including stints in the United States and France, he spent a significant portion of the lead-up to the 2026 Games training in Italy, specifically in Turin and Milan.