France Stuns in Ski Mountaineering’s Olympic Debut with Dramatic Relay Gold
History has just been written on the snow in Bormio and France is at the center of it. In a breathtaking Olympic debut for ski mountaineering’s mixed relay, Emily Harrop and Thibault Anselmet delivered a performance that will be remembered for years.
On a demanding course at the Stelvio Ski Centre, where every climb burns the lungs and every descent tests nerve and precision, the French duo held their composure under immense pressure. They crossed the line in 26 minutes and 57.44 seconds, sealing the very first Olympic gold in this new event. It was fast, it was tactical and it was dramatic right to the final stretch.
Ski mountaineering, often called “skimo,” combines uphill skinning, technical transitions and downhill racing. It is a sport rooted in mountain tradition, but now it has stepped onto the biggest stage in global sport. And in this historic moment, Harrop and Anselmet rose to it. Their teamwork was seamless. Their pacing was smart. And when it mattered most, they found another gear.
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Switzerland’s Marianne Fatton and Jon Kistler kept the pressure on throughout and claimed silver, finishing just over 11 seconds behind. Spain’s Ana Alonso Rodriguez and Oriol Cardona secured bronze, continuing their impressive form after strong sprint performances earlier in the week. The margins were tight and every transition counted.
There was also a strong push from the United States. Anna Gibson and Cam Smith came in fourth, less than a minute off gold. For a pair considered outsiders before the race, that result signals growing depth and ambition in the sport beyond its traditional European powerhouses.
This race matters because it marks the Olympic arrival of a discipline that blends endurance, strategy and raw mountain skill. For athletes like Emily Harrop and Thibault Anselmet, this is not just another medal. It is a place in history. They are now the first-ever Olympic champions in mixed relay ski mountaineering. That title can never be taken away.
As the Winter Games continue to evolve, new sports bring new heroes. And today, on the slopes of Bormio, France’s duo showed the world exactly what this sport is about — courage, control and commitment under pressure.
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