In a thrilling performance at the Winter Olympics, French athletes Emily Harrop and Thibault Anselmet secured gold in the mixed relay event of ski mountaineering. The competition took place on February 21, 2026, in Bormio, Italy, marking a historic moment for the sport, which is making its Olympic debut during the Milan-Cortina Games.
Victory Details
Harrop and Anselmet completed the relay course in a remarkable time of 26 minutes and 57.44 seconds. The event featured two ascents and two descents, with a segment where skiers had to carry their skis on their backs.
Podium Finishers
- Gold: Emily Harrop & Thibault Anselmet (France)
- Silver: Marianne Fatton & Jon Kistler (Switzerland), 11.86 seconds behind
- Bronze: Ana Alonso Rodriguez & Oriol Cardona Coll (Spain)
Performance Highlights
Emily Harrop, originally from the French Alps, showcased her prowess right from the start. She had previously excelled, winning a silver medal in the individual sprint event. On her first leg, Harrop established a solid lead over her contenders, including sprint gold medallist Fatton and bronze medallist Alonso Rodriguez.
Thibault Anselmet maintained this lead during his stint against Kistler and Cardona Coll, who had previously won sprint titles. Harrop extended the lead further on her second run on the Stelvio piste, pulling away to a 27-second advantage.
Race Challenges
The race had its share of challenges. Alonso Rodriguez incurred a three-second penalty after missing a transition point. Kistler applied pressure to Anselmet, reducing the lead to only 8 seconds at one point during the race.
Despite the physical demands of the course, Anselmet remained focused. His determined finish saw him skiing down the final stretch with confidence, raising his fist in celebration as he crossed the finish line.
The mixed relay event, often regarded as a true test of endurance and skill, left a significant mark on the Olympic ski mountaineering scene. As this thrilling sport gains popularity, the performance of Harrop and Anselmet will be remembered as a pivotal moment in its Olympic journey.
