Team USA is continuing to make headway in the race to win the most medals at the Winter Olympics, and oddsmakers have taken note.
FanDuel Sportsbook dropped the USA to +140 to win the most medals at Milan Cortina, although they still trail Norway (-195).
Key Takeaways
- The USA gained 26.3 percentage points in likelihood of winning the most medals.
- Norway is running away with the race to win the most gold medals.
- Upsets in curling and figure skating helped power the Stars and Stripes.
| Country | Odds to win the most medals (FanDuel) |
|---|---|
| Norway | -195 |
| USA | +140 |
| Italy | +3,300 |
| Germany | +6,500 |
| China | +10,000 |
| Canada | +10,000 |
| France | +10,000 |
| Austria | +10,000 |
| Netherlands | +10,000 |
| Sweden | +10,000 |
Before a single medal had been awarded, FanDuel’s Winter Olympics odds had Team USA at +550 to collect the most hardware in Italy. Norway (-310) was the favorite, and Germany (+800) was third. The host nation was fifth at +6,000.
The Red, White and Blue shortening to +140 means that they’ve gone from having a 15.4% implied probability to a 41.7% implied chance to win the most medals.
Conversely, Norway lengthening from -310 to -195 means that they dropped from a 75.6% to a 66.1% implied chance to secure the most podium finishes.
As of the time of writing on Thursday morning, the USA and Norway are tied for the second-most medals (13). Italy leads all countries with 14.
The next-closest nation is Austria (11), while Germany, initially predicted to finish third, is tied for sixth with eight.
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Winter Olympics gold medal odds
| Country | Odds to win the most gold medals (FanDuel) |
|---|---|
| Norway | -1,500 |
| USA | +700 |
| Germany | +8,000 |
| Canada | +10,000 |
| Netherlands | +10,000 |
While the USA hunts for more medals, their odds of winning the most golds are steadily dropping.
While FanDuel opened with them in second at +370, they’re down to +700. Norway opened at -210 and is now at -1,500, giving them a 93.8% implied chance.
Unsurprisingly, it is Norway that leads Milan Cortina with seven gold medals. Italy has five, and the USA, Sweden, and Switzerland all have four.
The USA’s best chances at more upcoming medals are likely to be on the ice. FanDuel has the women as a -380 favorite to win the ice hockey gold medal, and the men are second at +200, only trailing Canada (-105).
USA powered by upsets at Milan Cortina
Team USA was expected to have a better chance of competing for the most gold medals than they were to claim the most overall medals before the Winter Olympics began, according to betting odds.
That not playing out is a testament to the USA’s strength in numbers. Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin, for example, made it to the gold-medal match against Sweden in mixed doubles curling for the first time in national history.
Madison Chock and Evan Bates also produced a season-best score to claim a silver medal in the figure skating ice dance final.
