The Azzurri cross-country skiers have made history. © ANSA / HANNIBAL HANSCHKE

Bronze coup: Azzurri celebrate behind King Klæbo

Twenty years after their historic gold medal at the Turin Olympics, the Azzurri have struck again in the men's cross-country relay, winning another medal.

February 15, 2026

From: dpa/nie

Davide Graz, Elia Barp, Martino Carollo, and anchor leg runner Federico Pellegrino made history in Tesero, winning the bronze medal in glorious conditions and brilliant sunshine. In a race where Norway and France made it clear from the start that they would confidently march towards gold and silver, a fierce battle for the final medal raged behind them between Italy and Finland.

Carollo handed over to Pellegrino nearly 20 seconds behind, and Pellegrino turned on the afterburners in the final stretch. Drawing on all his experience, the 35-year-old pursued Niko Anttola, closed the gap, and secured the bronze medal with a phenomenal attack. The Italian crossed the finish line with his arms raised in victory and was duly celebrated by teammates and fans alike.

At the current home Games, the relay bronze was the first medal for Italy's cross-country skiers. In the all-time medal table for the sport, the Azzurri now hold 37 medals (4th place).

Klæbo towers above all

France took silver, 47,9 seconds ahead of Italy (+22,2 seconds), while the favorites from Norway crowned themselves Olympic champions for the first time since 2018. Johannes Høsflot Klæbo thus became the most successful Olympian of the Winter Games. It is the 29-year-old's ninth Olympic gold medal. He now leads the all-time medal count ahead of his compatriots Marit Bjørgen (cross-country skiing), Ole Einar Bjørndalen (biathlon), and Bjørn Dæhlie (cross-country skiing), who each have eight gold medals. Klæbo won in Tesero with Emil Iversen, Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget, and Einar Hedegart.

Johannes Høsflot Klæbo is the sole Olympic king. © ANSA / FILIP SINGER

The cross-country skiers now have a two-day break before the team sprint offers their next chance at medals. The starting gun will fire at 11:45 a.m., with the men and women alternating laps on the Tesero course.