Ski Mountaineering Makes Olympic History in Blizzard

Imagine sprinting up a mountain with skis strapped to your feet, then racing back down at breakneck speed, all in under three minutes. That's exactly what happened Thursday when ski mountaineering, nicknamed "skimo," finally got its Olympic moment after waiting more than a century for the spotlight.

The sport made its highly anticipated debut in Bormio, Italy, where Switzerland's Marianne Fatton claimed the first-ever Olympic gold medal in women's skimo. Despite blizzard conditions that would send most people indoors, fans packed the nearly sold-out venue to witness history unfold.

"It's a magical day. It's history for our sport, and for us as athletes," said Fatton, still catching her breath after her exhausting run. The world champion added Olympic gold to her collection, describing the emotional victory as almost surreal.

The men's event delivered another stunning moment when Spain's Oriol Cardona Coll won his nation's first Winter Olympic gold in 54 years. France's Emily Harrop, who could have competed for Team GB but chose to represent her birth country, took silver in the women's race despite struggling with a transition that cost her the lead.

Here's how this wild sport works: Athletes sprint uphill with special skins on their skis for traction, navigate obstacles, then yank off their skis and continue climbing on foot. After more uphill skiing, they rip off the skins and race downhill to the finish, all in about three minutes of lung-burning intensity.

The sport dates back to the 19th Century, born from necessity before ski lifts existed. Skiers had to climb mountains on their own power, and some turned it into competition. Now it's become the first new Winter Olympic sport added since snowboarding in 1998.

Why This Inspires

The overwhelming crowd response shows how hungry people are for fresh Olympic experiences. Fans standing in heavy snowfall could see the entire course from the grandstand, watching athletes push human limits in real time. The speed and drama kept everyone glued to the action, cheering wildly for competitors from around the world.

BBC commentator Matt Chilton captured the excitement: "The ski mountaineering event has been so well-received. Televisually, it is superb." The format proved instantly accessible to newcomers while showcasing incredible athleticism.

A mixed relay event happens Saturday, where men and women team up for longer 30-40 minute races. The magic continues as this century-old mountain tradition writes its newest chapter on the world's biggest sporting stage.