TESERO, Italy (AP) — Frida Karlsson of Sweden won gold at 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics in the 20-kilometer women’s skiathlon Saturday at the start of cross-country skiing on energy-draining wet snow. Top-ranked Jessie Diggins of the United States fell in the early stages of the race and struggled throughout to fight her way forward as the Swedes held onto an early advantage.

The U.S. cross-country skiing team may be poised for its strongest Olympic performance at the 2026 Winter Games, with veteran Jessie Diggins leading the women's team and Gus Schumacher pushing the men's efforts against stiff competition from Norway and Italy.

An "average Joe" as a teen, Klæbo will one day retire as the best cross-country skier ever. It just took work and a little "friluftsliv."

Diggins often refers to the lengths she’ll push her body and mind as the pain cave, and with that mentality she has racked up her fair share of victories. She owns three career overall crystal globes (2021,

The first medals of the 2026 Winter Olympics are being awarded Saturday in men's downhill skiing and women's cross-country Skiathlon.