Ben Ogden Ends 50-Year Drought with Historic Silver in Cross-Country Sprint

Ben Ogden made Olympic history at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium in Val di Fiemme, Italy, winning silver in the men's sprint classic and ending a 50-year medal drought for American men in cross-country skiing. The 25-year-old from Vermont finished with a time of 3:40.61, just behind Norway's Johannes Høsflot Klæbo who took gold in 3:39.74.

The race format required competitors to qualify before advancing through quarter-finals and semi-finals to reach the final heat of six skiers. Ogden navigated each round with composure, saving his best performance for the medal race. Norway's Oskar Vike claimed bronze, rounding out an impressive podium at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

Ogden's achievement marks a watershed moment for American cross-country skiing. The last U.S. man to medal in the sport was Bill Koch, who won silver in the 30km race at the 1976 Innsbruck Olympics. For five decades, American men had been shut out from the Olympic cross-country podium despite consistent participation and development efforts.

A former NCAA champion, Ogden has emerged as the brightest hope for American cross-country skiing in a generation. His technical proficiency in the classic technique and tactical awareness in sprint racing have made him a consistent threat on the World Cup circuit. This Olympic silver validates years of dedication and represents a potential turning point for the sport's profile in the United States.

Following the medal ceremony, Ogden celebrated his historic achievement by performing a backflip off the podium, a moment of pure joy that captured the significance of breaking through after half a century. His performance has already inspired conversations about increased support and investment in American cross-country skiing programs as the sport looks to build on this breakthrough moment.