Historic Silver for Team USA in Cross-Country Team Sprint
The U.S. Men's Olympic Cross-Country Ski Team achieved a historic milestone today, February 18, 2026, by winning its first-ever medal in the team sprint free event at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The duo of Ben Ogden and Gus Schumacher secured the silver medal, marking a significant moment for American cross-country skiing.
The race took place at the Cross country and biathlon center Fabio Canal in Tesero, Italy, part of the widespread venues for the 2026 Games. This achievement represents the first Olympic medal for the U.S. Men's Cross-Country Ski Team in this specific event and the first medal for the U.S. beyond Europe in cross-country skiing.
Race Dynamics and Podium Finish
The men's team sprint free saw fierce competition over the 1.585-kilometre course. Norway's Johannes Høsflot Klæbo and Einar Hedegart claimed the gold medal with a time of 18:28.9. The American pair, Ogden and Schumacher, finished just 1.4 seconds behind Norway, clocking in at 18:30.3. The bronze medal went to Italy's Elia Barp and Federico Pellegrino, who finished with a time of 18:32.2.
Gus Schumacher, racing the anchor leg, challenged Norwegian superstar Klæbo on the final climb, holding off the Italian team to secure the silver. Ogden's aggressive tactics were noted for pulling the U.S. racers into medal contention.
A Series of Breakthroughs for U.S. Men's Skiing
This silver medal builds upon a remarkable performance by the U.S. men's team at these Games. Just eight days prior, on February 10, 2026, Ben Ogden had already ended a 50-year medal drought for U.S. men's cross-country skiing by winning a silver medal in the men's sprint classic event. This makes Ogden the most decorated male cross-country skier in American Olympic history.
For Gus Schumacher, this marks his first Olympic medal, a significant achievement in his career. The combined efforts of Ogden and Schumacher underscore a new era of competitiveness for the United States in the sport.
Athlete Reactions
Following their historic performance, both athletes expressed their excitement. Ben Ogden remarked, 'It's insane. Man, we proved today and all week we are here to stay and the USA guys are in good form, so it was awesome.' Gus Schumacher reflected on his performance, stating, 'I'm really proud of how I just sort of skied with abandon in a way, because when I'm skiing free I'm the best.' Their camaraderie and strong partnership were evident as they celebrated the achievement.
0 Comments