Sweden has experienced a dramatic season. © APA/afp / ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT

A fall costs Sweden gold in the relay.

Deep snow, a spectacular fall by the favored Swedish team, and a ride on one ski: The women's cross-country relay at the Winter Olympics provided a great spectacle.

February 14, 2026

From: dpa/sn

In Norway's surprising gold medal win in the 4 x 7,5 km relay, Sweden (2nd/+50,9 seconds) fought their way to silver in a spectacular race after a fall by Ebba Andersson, finishing ahead of Finland (3rd/+1:14.7 minutes). The Italian team, featuring Iris de Martin Pinter, Caterina Ganz, Martina di Centa, and Federica Cassol, finished sixth (+1:59.7).

All nations struggled with the deep snow. In the rainy weather, numerous skiers crashed in the first lap. The German relay team also had some problems. "I'm grateful I stopped on the downhill section because it was criminal," complained German cross-country skier Katharina Hennig Dotzler after her race.

Andersson is overflowing

The conditions had particularly severe consequences for Andersson, a two-time silver medalist in the individual event. She crashed while second in the field on a downhill section and lost a ski. Because the ski couldn't be reattached to her boot, she had to continue skiing on one ski for over a minute, carrying the other under her arm. She was then given a replacement ski. At the next exchange, the Swedish team, who had been in second place before the crash, had dropped to eighth.

The third Swede, Frida Karlsson, shifted into high gear and managed to bring the top favorites back up to third place. Final leg skier Jonna Sundling secured silver for the disappointed quartet. At the front, Norway skied a solitary race: Heidi Weng took home the gold medal. Finland celebrated bronze.