Not everyone welcomed the decision to extend the women’s longest Olympic distance from 30km to 50km. However, last year’s World Championships in Trondheim delivered a thrilling race, with Sweden and Norway battling all the way to the finish. 

So far, Sweden has dominated in Val di Fiemme, and they once again bring the strongest team on paper. With Frida Karlsson sick, can Ebba Andersson break away from the rest? 

Sunday, February 22: 50km Mass Start C Women (More information can be found HERE)

• 10:00 CET: 50km Mass Start C, Women

The start list can be found HERE 

ABOUT SUNDAY’S RACE 

The women’s longest distance began as 20km, was later extended to 30km, and now reaches 50km for the first time at the Olympic Games. In Val di Fiemme, the 50km mass start in classic technique will close the cross-country program at Milano-Cortina 2026.

Conditions are expected to be demanding, with warm weather and soft snow likely to play a key role. After nearly two weeks of racing, fatigue will also be a major factor. The question is who still has enough left in the tank.

Norway has won the last three Olympic gold medals at the longest distance, but with Marit Bjørgen and Therese Johaug no longer competing, the balance of power may have shifted. Sweden, which won all six women’s gold medals at last year’s World Championships, appears to be the team to beat. 

OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS 20, 30 AND 50KM 

Individual 20km 1984-1988, individual 30km 1992-2002, 30km mass start 2006-2022, 50km mass start 2026– 

• 1984 Marja-Liisa Kirvesniemi, Finland 
• 1988 Tamara Tikhonova, Soviet 
• 1992 Stefania Belmondo, Italy 
• 1994 Manuela Di Centa, Italy 
• 1998 Julia Tchepalova, Russia 
• 2002 Gabriella Paruzzi, Italy 
• 2006 Katerina Neumannova, Czechia 
• 2010 Justyna Kowalczyk, Poland 
• 2014 Marit Bjørgen, Norway 
• 2018 Marit Bjørgen, Norway 
• 2022 Therese Johaug, Norway 

WORLD CHAMPIONS 20, 30 AND 50KM 

First time held in 1978 over 20km, then changed to 30km from 1989, and 50km from 2025 

20km 

• 1978 Zinaida Amosova, Soviet Union 
• 1980 Veronika Hesse, DDR 
• 1982 Raisa Smetanina, Russia 
• 1985 Grete Ingeborg Nykkelmo, Norway 
• 1987 Marie-Helene Westin, Sweden 

30km 

• 1989 Elena Välbe, Russia 
• 1991 Ljubov Egorova, Russia 
• 1993 Stefania Belmondo, Italy 
• 1995 Elena Välbe, Russia 
• 1997 Elena Välbe, Russia 
• 1999 Larisa Lazutina, Russia 
• 2001 canceled 
• 2003 Olga Zavialova, Russia 
• 2005 Marit Bjørgen, Norway 
• 2007 Virpi Kuitunen, Finland 
• 2009 Justyna Kowalczyk, Poland 
• 2011 Therese Johaug, Norway 
• 2013 Marit Bjørgen, Norway 
• 2015 Therese Johaug, Norway 
• 2017 Marit Bjørgen, Norway 
• 2019 Therese Johaug, Norway 
• 2021 Therese Johaug, Norway 
• 2023 Ebba Andersson, Sweden 

50km

• 2025 Frida Karlsson, Sweden 

FAVORITES 

Ebba Andersson, Sweden 

Andersson claimed her first individual Olympic medal, silver, in the skiathlon. A 50km classic race should suit her well. However, her season has not been as dominant as last year, and she will be eager to respond after losing contact with Karlsson in the closing stages of the skiathlon. 

Heidi Weng, Norway 

The veteran celebrated her first individual Olympic medal with tears after the skiathlon. She struggled to keep pace with the Swedes in the classic portion of that race, which was unexpected. Weng was part of the leading group at last year’s World Championships and remains a strong contender. 

OUTSIDERS 

Teresa Stadlober, Austria 

Stadlober struggled with her skis during the classic section of the skiathlon. This could be her final Olympic opportunity. She came close in PyeongChang eight years ago before taking a wrong turn late in the race. Classic is traditionally her strongest technique. 

Jessica Diggins, USA 

This will be Diggins’ final Olympic race. The World Cup leader races with enormous determination, but the key question is whether she can stay with the leaders over 50km in classic. One thing is certain: she will not give up. 

Nadja Kälin, Switzerland 

A major surprise in the skiathlon, finishing fourth. The young Swiss skier has shown that she can perform when it matters most and could once again challenge for a top result. 

Kerttu Niskanen, Finland 

A 50km classic race is tailor-made for Niskanen. The Finnish veteran thrives in long classic events. While sprinting is not her greatest strength, it is unlikely that a sprint will decide this race after 50 demanding kilometers in soft snow. 

Johanna Matintalo, Finland 

Matintalo claimed her first World Cup victory in Goms before the Games. She skipped the skiathlon and performed well in the classic sprint. Her confidence should be high heading into this race. 

Astrid Øyre Slind, Norway 

Slind followed the Swedish leaders in the classic portion of the skiathlon before fading in the freestyle section. With her endurance background from Ski Classics and a 50km World Championship medal to her name, she represents one of Norway’s strongest hopes alongside Weng. 

You will find the start list HERE

Cross-country skiing schedule – Olympics 2026

Saturday, February 7: 20km Skiathlon C/F Women (More information can be found HERE)

• 13:00 CET: 20km Skiathlon C/F, Women

Sunday, February 8: 20km Skiathlon C/F Men (More information can be found HERE)

• 12:30 CET: 20km Skiathlon C/F, Men

Tuesday, February 10: Sprint C Women and Men (More information can be found HERE)

• 9:15 CET: Sprint Quali C, Women
• 9:55 CET: Sprint Quali C, Men
• 11:45 CET: Sprint Final C, Women
• 12:15 CET: Sprint Final C, Men

Thursday, February 12: 10km Interval Start F Women (More information can be found HERE)

• 13:00 CET: 10km Interval F, Women

Friday, February 13: 10km Interval Start F Men (More information can be found HERE)

• 11:45 CET: 10km Interval F, Men

Saturday, February 14: 4×7.5km Relay C/F Women (More information can be found HERE)

• 12:00 CET: 4×7.5km Relay C/F, Women

Sunday, February 15: 4×7.5km Relay C/F Men (More information can be found HERE)

• 12:00 CET: 4×7.5km Relay C/F, Men

Wednesday, February 18: Team Sprint Women and Men (More information can be found HERE)

• 9:45 CET: Team Sprint F Quali, Women
• 10:15 CET: Team Sprint F Quali, Men
• 11:45 CET: Team Sprint F, Women
• 12:15 CET: Team Sprint F, Men

Saturday, February 21: 50km Mass Start C Men (More information can be found HERE)

• 11:00 CET: 50km Mass Start C, Men

Sunday, February 22: 50km Mass Start C Women (More information can be found HERE)

• 10:00 CET: 50km Mass Start C, Women

The complete program for the Winter Olympic Games can be found HERE

Val di Fiemme, a classic Nordic skiing venue, promises thrilling racing on courses steeped in Olympic history. Fans around the World will have the chance to cheer on athletes across all distances, from explosive sprints to grueling marathons.

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