Masterclass on a Brutal Course (Image Credits: Pixabay)
Val di Fiemme, Italy — Ben Ogden powered to a silver medal in the men’s classic sprint, delivering the first Olympic podium finish for an American man in cross-country skiing since 1976.[1][2]
Masterclass on a Brutal Course
The Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium hosted a grueling classic sprint course marked by steep uphills and high-speed downhills. Ogden qualified second-fastest overall, just behind Norway’s dominant Johannes Høsflot Klæbo. He dominated his quarterfinal heat with a time of 3:26.10, surging ahead on the final climb.[3]
In the semifinal, Ogden finished third but advanced as a lucky loser. The final unfolded as a duel with Klæbo, who edged him by less than a second: 3:39.74 to Ogden’s 3:40.61. Norway’s Oskar Opstad Vike claimed bronze. Teammates like JC Schoonmaker reached the quarterfinals and placed eighth overall, signaling depth in the U.S. squad.[4]
| Position | Athlete | Country | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Johannes Høsflot Klæbo | Norway | 3:39.74 |
| Silver | Ben Ogden | USA | 3:40.61 |
| Bronze | Oskar Opstad Vike | Norway | — |
Breaking a Half-Century of Silence
Ogden’s achievement shattered a 50-year medal drought for U.S. men in Olympic cross-country skiing. The last podium came from Bill Koch, a fellow Vermonter, who took silver in the 30km event at the 1976 Innsbruck Games. Koch’s result had sparked a surge in American interest, but no man followed until Tuesday.[1]
Prior to Ogden, the U.S. men had never cracked the top three in an Olympic classic sprint. His silver marked only the second individual Olympic medal ever for an American man in the discipline. The U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team celebrated on social media, calling it a pivotal moment for the sport.[2]
From Dartmouth to World Cup Podiums
The 25-year-old, 6-foot-4 skier hails from Landgrove, Vermont. A two-time NCAA champion at Dartmouth, Ogden earned the U23 green bib as the top under-23 sprinter in 2022-23. He debuted at the 2022 Beijing Olympics and notched three World Cup podiums — all thirds — in recent seasons.[4]
Ogden credits a unique hobby for his composure: knitting. “It’s a great way to relax,” he said. Post-race, he joked, “My knitting needles are probably waiting for me,” while working on Joan of Arc-themed mittens. This third Olympics appearance capped years of tactical growth and aggressive racing.[3]
- Qualified second-fastest in prelims.
- Won quarterfinal outright.
- Advanced from semis as lucky loser.
- Finished 0.87 seconds behind gold in final.
- First U.S. man on Olympic XC podium since 1976.
Fueling American Ambitions
Ogden hopes his medal ignites the next era. “I hope it gives the future of the sport in the U.S. a big boost,” he said, echoing Koch’s impact. “Bill Koch winning his medal gave a big boost to all the young skiers.”[2] The U.S. team, featuring rising stars like Gus Schumacher, now eyes contender status. “We want to take this team to the next level,” Ogden noted.[3]
Women like Julia Kern posted a career-best sixth place, underscoring momentum across the program.
- Ogden’s silver ends 50 years without a U.S. men’s XC Olympic medal.
- Vermont roots tie him to pioneer Bill Koch.
- Knitting helps the sprinter stay grounded amid pressure.
Ogden’s feat redefines possibilities for American endurance skiing, proving persistence pays off on the global stage. What does this mean for the future of U.S. cross-country? Share your thoughts in the comments.
