American Ben Ogden wins silver, breaking 50 year medal drought for U.S. men's cross-country skiing

Published: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 1:09 pm

American Skier Ben Ogden Breaks Decades-Long Medal Drought

VAL DI FIEMME, Italy – American cross-country skier Ben Ogden secured a silver medal today, marking a historic moment for U.S. men's cross-country skiing. The 25-year-old from Vermont finished second in the sprint race, a classic style event, at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium. This victory ends a 50-year medal drought for U.S. men in the sport, with the last medal won by Bill Koch in 1976.

The race format saw skiers qualifying and then advancing through quarter-finals and semi-finals before the final heat. Ogden qualified in second place and maintained a strong performance throughout the heats. He ultimately finished behind Johannes Klaebo of Norway, who took gold. Oskar Vike, also of Norway, secured the bronze medal.

Ogden's achievement was quickly celebrated by the U.S. Ski Team, who highlighted his accomplishment on social media. This marks Ogden's third Olympic games.

On the women's side, Jessie Diggins, a top U.S. cross-country skier, did not advance in the classic sprint races. Julia Kern reached the finals, finishing in sixth place.

BNN's Perspective:

Ogden's silver medal is a significant win for the U.S. ski team and a testament to the dedication and hard work of American athletes. While the sport is dominated by European nations, this victory demonstrates the potential for growth and success in U.S. cross-country skiing. It will be interesting to see if this win inspires more American athletes to pursue the sport.

Keywords: Ben Ogden, cross-country skiing, silver medal, U.S. Ski Team, Olympics, Johannes Klaebo, Norway, Bill Koch, Jessie Diggins, Julia Kern, sprint race, classic style, winter games, medal drought, American skier

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