France secured a remarkable victory in the mixed relay event of Olympic ski mountaineering at the Milan-Cortina Games. This thrilling competition took place in Bormio on Saturday, with Emily Harrop and Thibault Anselmet delivering an exceptional performance.
Victory in Olympic Ski Mountaineering Mixed Relay
Harrop and Anselmet completed the race with an impressive time of 26 minutes and 57.44 seconds. The race featured two ascents and two descents, requiring athletes to carry their skis on their backs during sections of the course.
Medal Standings
- Gold: Emily Harrop and Thibault Anselmet (France) – 26:57.44
- Silver: Marianne Fatton and Jon Kistler (Switzerland) – 11.86 seconds behind
- Bronze: Ana Alonso Rodriguez and Oriol Cardona Coll (Spain)
Harrop, an accomplished athlete born in the French Alps, demonstrated her skills in the opening leg. She was in outstanding form and quickly established a significant lead over her competitors, including Fatton and Alonso Rodriguez, both of whom previously secured medals in sprint events.
Anselmet carried on the momentum, maintaining their lead against Kistler and Cardona Coll, the latter being the men’s sprint champion. As the race continued, Harrop extended the lead to over 27 seconds during her second leg.
Race Challenges
During the race, Alonso Rodriguez faced a setback when she overshot one of the transition lines, leading to a three-second penalty. Meanwhile, Kistler managed to cut Anselmet’s lead to just eight seconds at one point, intensifying the competition.
Despite the pressure, Anselmet displayed remarkable control and endurance as he navigated the challenging course. His joy was evident as he crossed the finish line, securing France’s victory in the mixed relay.
This event marked a historic moment, as ski mountaineering is making its Olympic debut at the Milan-Cortina Games. The mixed relay proved to be a showcase of athleticism and resilience in this exhilarating sport.
