Germany and Norway win the team sprint

The German women, including Laura Gimmler and Coletta Rydzek, and the Norwegian men, including Harald Oestberg Amundsen and Einar Hedegart, have moved into the role of co-favorites for the Olympic team sprint.

23 January 2026

From: Leo/dpa

The duo from Oberstdorf won the dress rehearsal at the World Cup in Goms, Switzerland, in freestyle skiing, convincingly ahead of Norway I (Astrid Oeyre Slind & Julie Brevig Drivenes) and Norway II (Karoline Groetting & Tiril Udnes Wenig). At the Olympic Games in China four years ago, Victoria Carl and Katharina Hennig Dotzler sensationally won the gold medal in the classic style.

Gimmler/Rydzek had already demonstrated their dominance in qualifying, securing second place and indicating that victory would only be possible by defeating the Allgäu Express. In the final, a 6x1,5 kilometer race where each athlete completed three laps, the duo delivered a tactical masterclass. Rydzek unleashed her tremendous speed on the home straight in the final sprint, leaving the Norwegians no chance.

Strong Azzurri

In the men's race, however, there was a Norwegian victory: Harald Oestberg Amundsen and Einar Hedegart prevailed by two seconds over Italy I, led by Elia Barp and Federico Pellegrino.

Federico Pellegrino and Elia Barp. © ANSA / SALVATORE DI NOLFI

The podium was completed by Ben Ogden and Gus Schumacher from the United States. Italy's second duo, consisting of Davide Graz and Martino Carollo, finished fourth in the absence of numerous stars.

Keywords Winter sports Cross-country skiing Federico Pellegrino Elijah Barp