Frida Karlsson (right) and Ebbba Anderson (left) embraced at the finish line. © APA/afp / ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT

Swedish double victory in the Olympic skiathlon

At the start of the cross-country skiing events at the Olympic Games, the Scandinavian athletes dominated the women's skiathlon. Frida Karlsson led Sweden to a one-two finish.

February 07, 2026

From: apa/dpa/tu

The women's 2x10 kilometer skiathlon kicked off the cross-country skiing events at the Winter Olympics in Val di Fiemme. In spring-like conditions, a high-class race developed early on, ultimately dominated by the Scandinavian skiers.

Sweden's Frida Karlsson secured gold, significantly increasing her pace after switching from the classic to the skating technique and decisively pulling away from the competition. After 53:45.2 minutes, the 24-year-old celebrated her first Olympic victory. Her compatriot Ebba Andersson, the reigning world champion, had to settle for silver, 51 seconds behind. Bronze went to Norway's Heidi Weng, who thus won her second Olympic medal in the skiathlon after taking third place in Sochi in 2014.

Karlsson with the Swedish flag. © APA/afp / JAVIER SORIANO

Already in the classic section, a leading trio consisting of Karlsson, Andersson, and the Norwegian Astrid Øyre Slind had broken away from the rest of the field. While Slind lost contact and fell back in the skating section, Karlsson quickly established a clear lead after changing skis and left no doubt about the outcome of the race.

Behind the medal positions, the field was tightly packed, with numerous position changes during the skating portion. World Cup overall leader Jessie Diggins finished eighth (+2:21.1 minutes), just ahead of Austria's Teresa Stadlober (ninth place/+2:26.1). The best German athlete was Pia Fink (twelfth place/+3:04.9), while the best Italian, Martina Di Centa (28th place/+4:50.0), finished in the middle of the pack.