Which Swedish skier won the women's 50km mass start classic in the final cross-country skiing event at the 2026 Olympics?

Swedish cross-country skier Ebba Andersson made history at the 2026 Olympics by triumphing in the women's 50km mass start classic, marking a significant moment as it was the first time women competed at this distance in Olympic cross-country skiing, expanded from 30km for gender parity. Andersson dominated the challenging course in Tesero, Italy, securing her gold medal with a formidable lead. Her winning time of 2:16:28.2 was over two minutes ahead of the silver medalist, Norway's Heidi Weng, showcasing a truly commanding performance.

Andersson, a celebrated distance specialist, has built a strong reputation throughout her career for exceptional endurance and tactical skill in both classic and freestyle techniques. Prior to this historic Olympic win, she had already amassed multiple World Championship gold medals, including victories in the 15km skiathlon and 30km classical races at the 2023 Planica World Championships, and further golds at the 2025 Trondheim World Championships. This extensive background in long-distance racing and her prowess in the classic style made her a formidable contender for the inaugural women's Olympic 50km event.

The 50km mass start classic is often referred to as the "ski marathon" due to its immense physical and strategic demands, requiring athletes to navigate the grueling distance and varied terrain in a single, simultaneous start. Andersson's victory not only solidified her status as one of the sport's elite but also added another chapter to Sweden's rich and storied history in cross-country skiing, a nation with a deep tradition of success in winter sports. This gold medal was particularly sweet for Andersson, coming as a redemption after she experienced a fall in the relay event earlier in the same Olympics.