Bormio, Italy – In a historic moment for both his nation and the burgeoning sport of ski mountaineering, Spain’s Oriol Cardona Coll has claimed the first-ever Olympic gold medal in the men’s sprint event at the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. The victory marks Spain’s first Winter Olympic gold since , ending a 54-year drought.
Cardona Coll’s triumph came in a race that showcased the demanding nature of ski mountaineering, a discipline that combines steep ascents, technical transitions, and thrilling descents. He established a five-second lead during the third leg of the race, navigating the challenging course with precision and power. He was the first to enter the final transition zone, efficiently switching to his skis before executing a composed and decisive descent to secure the gold.
“It’s incredible,” Cardona Coll said after the race, reflecting on the magnitude of his achievement. “I’ve dreamed countless times of being here, of winning this race… and now it’s a reality.”
When asked about his thoughts crossing the finish line, Cardona Coll spoke of a wave of emotion and gratitude. “So many thoughts went through my head. Above all, I thought of everyone who came all the way from Spain to be here, those who were supporting me from home, and my grandfather, who passed away a few years ago. I’ve been thinking about him a lot, and I want to dedicate this victory to him.”
Ski mountaineering made its Olympic debut at the Milano Cortina 2026 Games, and the sprint format – characterized by rapid transitions and a demanding course – proved to be a captivating introduction to the sport. The event requires athletes to efficiently navigate steep climbs, execute quick transitions between running and skiing, and then descend with speed and control.
This Olympic title represents another milestone in Cardona Coll’s already impressive career. He had previously achieved success on the world stage, including a world championship title in the sprint race last year.
“Last year’s world championship win was amazing, but the joy of having an Olympic medal is even greater,” he stated.
Cardona Coll’s victory not only establishes him as the first male Olympic champion in ski mountaineering but also delivers a significant moment for Spanish winter sports. The nation had not secured a gold medal at the Winter Olympics since the games in Sapporo in .
The men’s sprint final saw Cardona Coll overcome strong competition from Switzerland’s Jon Kistler and Arno Lietha, who had initially led during the climb. However, Cardona Coll closed the gap during the first transition and then dominated the remainder of the race, finishing in a time of .
Russia’s Nikita Filippov, competing as a neutral athlete, secured the silver medal, finishing behind Cardona Coll. France’s Thibault Anselmet claimed the bronze.
Earlier in the day, Switzerland’s Marianne Fatton won the inaugural Olympic gold medal in the women’s ski mountaineering sprint, defeating France’s Emily Harrop, the six-time world champion, by . Spain’s Ana Alonso Rodriguez took the bronze medal.
Cardona Coll’s gold medal adds to Spain’s growing medal count at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, and his victory is expected to inspire a new generation of ski mountaineers in the country. His achievement underscores the growing popularity and global reach of this challenging and dynamic sport.
Born on , the victory represents the culmination of years of dedication and training for the 31-year-old athlete from Banyoles, Spain. Standing at tall and weighing , Cardona Coll has proven himself to be a formidable force in both ski mountaineering and skyrunning.
His previous accolades include gold medals at the 2021 Comapedrosa La Massana Sprint race, the 2022 Boi Taull Sprint race, the 2023 Boí Taüll Sprint race, the 2024 Flaine / Chamonix Sprint race, and the 2024 Flaine / Chamonix Mixed relay, demonstrating his consistent performance at the highest levels of competition.
