skiathlon

Skiathlon Explained: Your Guide to Cross-Country Skiing’s Ultimate Test at Milano Cortina 2026

As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina approach, Australian sports fans are gearing up for one of the most physically demanding events on the program: the skiathlon. Often referred to as the "biathlon of cross-country skiing," this discipline tests endurance, adaptability, and raw speed.

Unlike standard races that stick to one technique, the skiathlon requires athletes to master two distinct styles within a single race. It is a grueling test of versatility that is set to be one of the highlights of the Winter Games.

What Exactly is Skiathlon?

The term "skiathlon" is a portmanteau of "ski" and "biathlon," but unlike the biathlon, which combines skiing with rifle shooting, the skiathlon combines two skiing techniques.

According to the official overview for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics, the skiathlon is a cross-country skiing event that involves two distinct phases. For the first half of the race, athletes use the classic technique. The race is then paused briefly for athletes to switch their equipment. For the second half, they must switch to the freestyle (skating) technique.

This format was introduced to the Olympic program in 2014 to showcase the full range of an athlete's skills. It is widely considered the ultimate test of a complete cross-country skier.

The 2026 Olympic Schedule: Key Dates for Australians

With the Milano Cortina 2026 Games set for February 6 to 22, the skiathlon events are scheduled early in the program, setting the tone for the cross-country skiing competition.

Men’s Skiathlon (10km + 10km)

The men’s event is scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2026. This 20km total distance (10km classic + 10km freestyle) is a tactical race where endurance meets explosive speed.

Women’s Skiathlon (10km + 10km)

The women compete the following day, Sunday, February 8, 2026. Notably, the distance for the women's event has been adjusted for 2026. While the women's skiathlon was 15km (7.5km + 7.5km) at the Beijing 2022 Olympics, the FIS (International Ski Federation) has decided to match the men's and women's distances for Milano Cortina, extending the women's race to a 20km total.

How to Watch the Skiathlon in Australia

Australian fans can catch the live action via official broadcasters. According to recent reports from TechRadar and BBC coverage of the upcoming Games, coverage will be extensive.

• Primary Broadcasters: In Australia, winter sports coverage is typically shared between the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) and subscription services like Stan Sport or Eurosport.
• Streaming Options: For fans wanting to watch from anywhere, official Olympic streaming platforms and VPN-supported streams will be available. TechRadar notes that "Cross-Country Skiing at Winter Olympics 2026 Free Streams" will be accessible via official apps, though geo-restrictions may apply.
• Live Updates: For real-time results and text commentary, the BBC Sport Winter Olympics live pages are a reliable source for international audiences.

The History and Evolution of the Sport

To understand the significance of the skiathlon, one must look at its history. While it only joined the Olympic roster relatively recently, the format has been a staple of the FIS World Championships for decades.

Unverified Context: Based on supplementary research, the following historical details require further verification. The concept of switching techniques mid-race was designed to prevent specialists from dominating the sport. Historically, skiers would specialize in either classic or freestyle. The skiathlon forces athletes to be adaptable. The format gained significant popularity in the early 2000s and was officially added to the Olympics in Sochi 2014.

The name "skiathlon" itself was popularized by Norwegian broadcaster NRK during the 2011 World Championships in Oslo, and it stuck immediately.

Recent Olympic Performances: The Benchmark

To predict the excitement of 2026, we look back to the most recent Olympic performances in Beijing 2022, which provide the verified benchmark for current contenders.

Men’s 30km Skiathlon (Beijing 2022)

The men's race in Beijing was a masterclass in pacing. Russian athlete Alexander Bolshunov pulled away from the pack early and secured the gold medal. * Verified Report: According to AP News, Bolshunov, the World Cup leader at the time, "pulled away from the pack early" to win the first men's cross-country gold medal. * The Result: Bolshunov won with a time of 1:16:32.7, securing a one-two finish for the Russian team. Notably, the traditional powerhouse nation Norway missed the podium entirely in this event.

Women’s 15km Skiathlon (Beijing 2022)

The women's race was equally dramatic, producing the first gold medal of the Beijing Games. * Verified Report: Norway's Therese Johaug claimed victory in the 15km skiathlon. As reported by BBC and other outlets, Johaug fought against wind and frigid temperatures to win by skiing away from a chase group of four. * The Result: Johaug finished in 44:13.7, with Estonia's Therese Johaug taking silver and Austria's Teresa Stadlober taking bronze.

The Contenders: What to Watch in 2026

As we look toward Milano Cortina, the landscape of cross-country skiing has shifted significantly since Beijing.

The Women’s Field

The women's podium in 2026 will look very different from 2022. * Verified Changes: As noted in supplementary research, Therese Johaug, the 2022 champion, has retired from competition. Furthermore, silver medalist Natalya Nepryayeva has taken maternity leave and effectively stopped competing. * The American Hope: Jessie Diggins of the USA, a perennial favorite and former Tour de Ski winner, is set to compete in her fourth and final Olympic Games. Diggins is known for her explosive freestyle technique, making her a strong contender in the second half of the race. Reports indicate she will be competing in the women's 10km + 10km skiathlon on February 7.

The Men’s Field

With Alexander Bolshunov remaining a dominant force, the men's race will be a battle of stamina. * Tactical Shift: Because the 2026 women's distance has been extended to match the men's (20km), the women's race will now mirror the men's tactical demands even more closely. This levels the playing field and rewards athletes with superior aerobic capacity over pure sprint speed.

The Technical Challenge: Why Skiathlon is Unique

The skiathlon is not just a race; it is a logistical and technical puzzle.

1. The Transition: Mid-race, skiers enter the "pit stop" zone. They must switch from classic skis (which run in tracks) to freestyle skis (which use a skating motion). This usually happens after the first half of the race.
2. Equipment Limitations: Athletes are limited in the number of pole exchanges they can make. They must prepare two pairs of skis and poles beforehand, waxed specifically for the snow conditions of that day.
3. The "Double Pole" Factor: In freestyle skiing, double poling (using both poles simultaneously) is a crucial technique for flat sections. In the latter half of a 20km race, upper body fatigue plays a massive role.

Immediate Effects and Olympic Significance

The skiathlon holds a special place in the Winter Olympics schedule. Because it is often the first cross-country event, it sets the psychological tone for the rest of the competition.

• Momentum: Winning the skiathlon provides a massive morale boost. As seen with Therese Johaug in 2022, winning the first gold medal of the Games creates a legacy moment.
• National Standings: Cross-country skiing is a high-point sport. For nations like Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia, medals here are crucial for the overall medal table.

For Australian audiences, while Australia does not currently have a top-tier medal contender in cross-country skiing, the event remains a viewer favorite due to its high drama and accessibility. It is a sport where the "underdog" can disrupt the traditional European dominance through smart pacing and tactical brilliance.

Future Outlook: Milano Cortina 2026

As the Games approach, several factors will influence the