Oriol Cardona Coll Secures Historic Olympic Gold in Ski Mountaineering Sprint
BORMIO, 19 February 2026 – Spain’s Oriol Cardona Coll has etched his name into the Olympic record books, claiming the inaugural gold medal in the men’s ski mountaineering sprint. On a snowy Thursday in Bormio, the 31-year-old specialist delivered a masterclass in technical efficiency and speed to secure Spain’s first Winter Olympic gold medal in 54 years.
A Landmark Victory for Spain
The debut of ski mountaineering (often referred to as “Skimo”) at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics was met with heavy snowfall, creating challenging conditions for the world’s elite. Cardona Coll, the reigning world champion and pre-tournament favourite, dominated the proceedings from the outset. After posting the fastest time in the qualifying heats (2:37.96), he navigated the final 750-metre course in a blistering 2:34.03.
The victory marks a significant milestone for Spanish winter sports. Not since Francisco Fernández Ochoa won the alpine skiing slalom in 1972 has a Spanish athlete stood atop the podium at a Winter Games. Cardona Coll, hailing from Banyoles, was pushed throughout the final by Switzerland’s Jan Kistler and France’s Thibault Anselmet, but his superior transition speed—honed through years of World Cup dominance—proved decisive in the final ascent.
Men’s Ski Mountaineering Sprint: Final Results
| Position | Athlete | Nationality | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Oriol Cardona Coll | Spain | 2:34.03 |
| Silver | Jan Kistler | Switzerland | +1.22 |
| Bronze | Thibault Anselmet | France | +2.15 |
Technical Mastery in Bormio
The Olympic sprint course featured a 70-metre vertical climb, requiring athletes to switch between skinning (climbing on skis), carrying skis on their backpacks during a foot-ascent section, and a final high-speed descent. Cardona Coll’s performance was highlighted by his “flawless transitions,” a technical aspect of the sport where he has long been considered the world leader. French rival Thibault Anselmet managed to secure the bronze medal following a rapid final transition, overtaking Switzerland’s Arno Lietha in the closing stages.
Cardona Coll’s journey to the Olympic podium was supported by legendary mountain athlete Kilian Jornet, who has served as a mentor to the Spanish Skimo team. This victory solidifies Cardona Coll’s status as the greatest sprint specialist in the history of the sport, adding Olympic gold to his 2023 World Championship and multiple European titles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ski Mountaineering (Skimo)?
Ski mountaineering is a winter sport that involves climbing mountains on skis or carrying them, depending on the steepness, and then descending on skis. The sprint format is a short, high-intensity race lasting approximately three minutes.
When did Spain last win a Winter Olympic Gold?
Prior to Oriol Cardona Coll’s victory on 19 February 2026, Spain’s last Winter Olympic gold medal was won by Francisco Fernández Ochoa in the men’s slalom at the Sapporo 1972 Games.
Who are the other medallists in the 2026 Men’s Sprint?
The silver medal was won by Jan Kistler of Switzerland, while the bronze medal went to Thibault Anselmet of France.