The marathon event closes the Olympic cross-country program. On the demanding and often wet courses in Val di Fiemme, the 50km mass start in classic technique will test the absolute toughest skiers in the field. 

Such conditions can also open the door to surprises. On these same courses at the 2003 World Championships, Czech skier Martin Koukal claimed an unexpected gold medal. And in 2013, Sweden’s Johan Olsson attacked early and never looked back.

A mass start always brings tension, with the risk of crashes, broken poles, and tactical battles from the first kilometer. 

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

• 11:00 CET: 50km Mass Start C, Men

The start list can be found HERE

ABOUT SATURDAY’S RACE 

The 50km has been part of the Olympic program since the first Winter Games in Chamonix in 1924. Over the decades, different nations have dominated at different times.

The introduction of the mass-start format in 2006 changed the race’s rhythm and tactics. Skiers such as Giorgio Di Centa and Petter Northug Jr. mastered the art of staying hidden in the pack before unleashing a decisive sprint at the finish.

Johannes Høsflot Klæbo won his sixth World Championship gold in Trondheim last year. Does he have the strength to do it again, or will someone else shine in the final cross-country event of the Games? 

Men’s Olympic Champions – 50km (different techniques) 

• 1924: Thorleif Haug, Norway 
• 1928: Per-Erik Hedlund, Sweden 
• 1932: Veli Saarinen, Finland 
• 1936: Elis Wiklund, Sweden 
• 1948: Nils “Mora-Nisse” Karlsson, Sweden 
• 1952: Veikko Hakulinen, Finland 
• 1956: Sixten Jernberg, Sweden 
• 1960: Kalevi Hämäläinen, Finland 
• 1964: Sixten Jernberg, Sweden 
• 1968: Ole Ellefsæter, Norway 
• 1972: Pål Tyldum, Norway 
• 1976: Ivar Formo, Norway 
• 1980: Nikolaj Zimjatov, Russia 
• 1984: Thomas Wassberg, Sweden 
• 1988: Gunde Svan, Sweden 
• 1992: Bjørn Dæhlie, Norway 
• 1994: Vladimir Smirnov, Kazakhstan 
• 1998: Bjørn Dæhlie, Norway 
• 2002: Mikhail Ivanov, Russia 

(Mass Start from 2006) 

• 2006: Giorgio Di Centa, Italy 
• 2010: Petter Northug Jr, Norway 
• 2014: Alexander Legkov, Russia 
• 2018: Iivo Niskanen, Finland 
• 2022: Alexander Bolshunov, ROC 

World Champions – 50km Men 

• 1925: Frantisek Donth, Czechoslovakia 
• 1926: Matti Raivio, Finland 
• 1927: John Lindgren, Sweden 
• 1929: Anselm Knuutila, Finland 
• 1930: Sven Utterström, Sweden 
• 1931: Ole Stenen, Norway 
• 1933: Veli Saarinen, Finland 
• 1934: Elis Wiklund, Sweden 
• 1935: Nils-Joel Englund, Sweden 
• 1937: Pekka Niemi, Finland 
• 1938: Kalle Jalkanen, Finland 
• 1939: Lars Bergendahl, Norway 
• 1950: Gunnar Eriksson, Sweden 
• 1954: Vladimir Kuzin, Soviet Union
• 1958: Sixten Jernberg, Sweden 
• 1962: Sixten Jernberg, Sweden 
• 1970: Kalevi Oikarainen, Finland 
• 1974: Gerhard Grimmer, DDR 
• 1978: Sven-Åke Lundbäck, Sweden 
• 1982: Thomas Wassberg, Sweden 
• 1985: Gunde Svan, Sweden 
• 1987: Maurilio De Zolt, Italy 
• 1989: Gunde Svan, Sweden 
• 1991: Torgny Mogren, Sweden 
• 1993: Torgny Mogren, Sweden 
• 1995: Silvio Fauner, Italy 
• 1997: Mika Myllylä, Finland 
• 1999: Mika Myllylä, Finland 
• 2001: Johann Mühlegg, Spain 
• 2003: Martin Koukal, Czechia 
• 2005: Frode Estil, Norway 
• 2007: Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset, Norway 
• 2009: Petter Northug Jr., Norway 
• 2011: Petter Northug Jr., Norway 
• 2013: Johan Olsson, Sweden 
• 2015: Petter Northug Jr., Norway 
• 2017: Alex Harvey, Canada 
• 2019: Hans Christer Holund, Norway 
• 2021: Emil Iversen, Norway 
• 2023: Pål Golberg, Norway 
• 2025: Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, Norway 

FAVORITES 

Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, Norway 

Klæbo must once again be considered the top favorite. His form has been outstanding throughout the Games. While he may prefer skating, he recently demonstrated his strength in classic by breaking away from the field in the 20km mass start in Goms before the Olympics. 

Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget, Norway 

Nyenget is one of the few skiers capable of attacking early and sustaining a solo effort. He had to settle for bronze in the skiathlon after failing to drop Klæbo, but he won the classic World Cup race in Oberhof in impressive fashion. Expect him to push the pace. 

Iivo Niskanen, Finland 

An Olympic champion in PyeongChang eight years ago, Niskanen is a classic specialist, and the 50km in classic is his prime distance. The question is whether he has reached peak form. His performances this winter have been solid but not dominant. Still, Niskanen can never be ruled out over 50km in classic. 

OUTSIDERS 

Emil Iversen, Norway 

The 2021 World Champion over 50km returns to the Olympic stage after a strong resurgence. He finished second behind Klæbo in the classic mass start in Goms and appears to be in good shape heading into the finale. 

Mathis Desloges, France 

Desloges impressed with silver in the skiathlon and showed strength throughout the race. The 50km classic presents another opportunity, although the challenge will be even greater. 

Hugo Lapalus, France 

An experienced skier known for his distinctive and efficient uphill technique. Lapalus is one of the few who can keep up with the Norwegians if the pace increases early. 

Harald Østberg Amundsen, Norway 

After crashing in the skiathlon, Amundsen will be eager to respond. He finished third in the classic mass start in Goms, following Klæbo and Iversen to the line. While not traditionally a 50km specialist, he remains one of the most versatile skiers in the field. 

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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