Spain's Winter Glory: A Golden Return After Five Decades
Oriol Cardona Coll's Trailblazing Victory in Ski Mountaineering Debut
Oriol Cardona Coll etched his name into Spanish sports history by securing the nation's inaugural Winter Olympics gold medal in 54 years. His triumph occurred in the men's sprint category of ski mountaineering, a discipline making its debut at the Milan Cortina 2026 Games.
Marianne Fatton's Pioneering Gold and the Sport's Olympic Premiere
Preceding Coll's victory, Switzerland's Marianne Fatton also created a historic moment. She emerged as the first-ever Olympic champion in ski mountaineering, overcoming strong contender Emily Harrop of France in a thrilling race. This marked a significant introduction for the sport onto the Olympic stage in Bormio.
A Dominant Performance Amidst Challenging Conditions
Despite navigating through preliminary rounds and a semifinal amidst a severe snowstorm, Cardona Coll displayed exceptional skill and composure. He meticulously executed each transition in the final, ultimately outperforming Nikita Filippov and securing gold, with Thibault Anselmet of France taking bronze.
Ending a Half-Century Gold Medal Drought for Spain
Coll's golden achievement brought an end to Spain's protracted wait for a Winter Olympics gold. The country's last top honor was earned by Alpine skier Francisco Fernandez Ochoa at the Sapporo Games back in 1972, making Coll's win a monumental occasion for Spanish winter sports.
Filippov's Neutral Participation and Harrop's Near Miss
Nikita Filippov competed as a neutral athlete, devoid of national representation, following the International Olympic Committee's sanctions against Russian and Belarusian athletes. Meanwhile, Emily Harrop, a dominant figure in SkiMo with four overall championships, was favored for gold but encountered difficulties during the course's stairs section, ultimately settling for silver.
Spain's Medal Haul: From Bronze to Gold
While Ana Alonso Rodriguez's bronze medal marked Spain's initial medal of the Games, it was Oriol Cardona Coll who elevated the nation's success with his commanding performance, leading to a much-celebrated gold. His victory underscores a promising future for Spain in ski mountaineering.