Sweden's Frida Karlsson won the women's 20km skiathlon at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, leading a strong Swedish performance ahead of teammate Ebba Andersson in second and Norway's Heidi Weng in third. The race at Tesero Cross-Country Stadium featured challenging conditions with icy descents and choppy corners, marked by numerous falls including one by U.S. star Jessie Diggins. French skier Léonie Perry impressed with 16th place in her Olympic debut.
The women's skiathlon, combining 10km classic and 10km freestyle techniques, kicked off the cross-country events at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics on February 7 in Val di Fiemme, Italy. Competitors faced a demanding course with few recovery sections, dry climbs, and descents complicated by ice and 30-40cm of sharp powder in bends, leading to several crashes early on.
Frida Karlsson of Sweden dominated to secure gold, finishing ahead of Ebba Andersson, who took silver despite a mishap with her medal afterward. "I felt like a machine," Karlsson said post-race. Heidi Weng earned bronze, her second Olympic medal 12 years after her first. The event extended to 20km from the 15km at Beijing 2022, testing endurance further.
Among the French contingent, Léonie Perry delivered a standout debut, climbing from 26th after the classic leg to 16th overall, just three seconds shy of the top 15. "It was a really good race... It really gives me confidence for the 10km skate," Perry told Nordic Magazine, noting a chaotic ski change in her first skiathlon. Julie Pierrel finished 21st and Cloé Pagnier 27th, both praising their equipment and enjoyment despite the tough terrain. "It was great... We had really good skis," Pagnier said. Delphine Claudel struggled to 31st, over five minutes back, hampered by a recent foot injury. "I didn’t have the weapons... It was a bit of a disaster," she admitted, but remains optimistic for upcoming races.
American Jessie Diggins fell during the classic section, impacting her performance in her final Olympics before retirement. Australian Maddie Hooker, in her first skiathlon ever, was lapped after three-quarters of the race but stayed positive about the experience. The results highlight Sweden's strength while showcasing emerging talents amid unpredictable conditions.
