“It’s going to be tough to be Norwegian if it continues like this throughout the Olympics,” Astrid Øyre Slind said after finishing sixth in the opening 20km skiathlon at the Games. Now, the momentum may be shifting.

With experience from 64 Ski Classics events and 15 victories, the 38-year-old veteran from Oppdal could be poised to fight for gold in the women’s 50km in Val di Fiemme.

Also Read – Olympics 2026: Complete guide to the women’s 50km Mass Start

Here are some reasons why Slind can look more optimistically at her medal chances ahead of the Olympic finale:

• Olympic relay gold. Slind delivered a strong second leg and stayed on her feet when Ebba Andersson crashed and lost a ski, a crucial contribution to Norway’s victory.

• Progress in the team sprint. “Fourth place isn’t what you want,” she said after finishing just outside the podium together with Julie Myhre Bjervig Drivenes. Despite narrowly missing bronze in a sprint against Germany, the performance showed clear improvement.

• Uncertainty in the Swedish camp. Frida Karlsson has been struggling with a cold and is now out of the 50km race. And how has Andersson’s fall affected her? There are question marks surrounding Sweden’s form.

• Norwegian waxing confidence. The Norwegian men dominated Saturday’s 50km with a commanding 1–2–3 finish. That raises hopes that the waxing team has found the right formula for the demanding conditions in Sunday’s women’s race as well.

Then there is the Ski Classics factor.

Astrid Øyre Slind has won Vasaloppet, Reistadløpet, Engadin La Diagonela, Birkebeinerrennet, Summit 2 Senja, and more. Few, if any, in the field have her level of experience over 50 kilometers.

This is the first time the 50km has been included in the women’s Olympic program. It debuted at the World Championships last year, when Frida Karlsson claimed gold in Trondheim.

“She’s in a class of her own. It’s incredible how fast she skied today. It will be tough for us if this continues,” Slind said after the skiathlon.

On Sunday, she can turn the narrative around.

Who will take the final gold medal in the women’s Olympic cross-country showdown?

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.

Are you interested in traditional cross-country skiing? Click HERE and read more about it.