Female cross-country skiers are making Olympic history by competing in a 50km classic race for the first time at the Winter Games. The event, the final cross-country competition of the Milano Cortina Games, comes after many athletes have already competed in multiple previous races.
Athletes have expressed mixed emotions. Some, like Sweden's Jonna Sundling, prefer shorter distances like 30km, suggesting it might be better for audience engagement. The challenging hilly course at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium is expected to take over two hours to complete. Norway's Therese Johaug previously won a 50km World Cup event in two hours, 14 minutes, and 40 seconds.
However, others welcome the longer distance. Norway's Astrid Oeyre Slind believes the 50km requires a different tactical approach and energy management, making it a valuable addition. The race is also seen as a crucial step for equality in sports, especially following controversy surrounding the absence of women's Nordic combined events.
U.S. skier Jessie Diggins champions the equal distance, questioning why women were previously limited to 30km while men raced 50km. She emphasizes the importance of having the opportunity to compete in iconic, epic races. Cross-country skiing began at the Olympics in 1924 with only men's events; women joined in 1952. At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, women competed in a 30km freestyle race.