Oriol Cardona and Ana Alonso have captured a bronze medal in the mixed relay ski mountaineering event at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The Spanish duo fought hard against strong competition to secure their place on the podium on February 21, 2026.

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This is Cardona’s second medal of the Games, following his gold in the men’s sprint ski mountaineering event just days earlier. Alonso also adds another medal to her tally, having previously won bronze in the women’s sprint. Their combined success marks a significant achievement for Spanish winter sports.

A Triumphant Relay

The mixed relay event, a dynamic and challenging race, involves teams of two completing alternating legs of a demanding course. According to the International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF), each leg consists of approximately 1,500 metres with a 150-metre vertical climb, requiring both technical skill and endurance. The format sees women complete the first and third legs, with the men taking on the second and fourth.

France’s Thibault Anselmet and Emily Harrop dominated the race, claiming gold with a comfortable lead. Switzerland’s Jon Kistler and Marianne Fatton secured the silver medal. However, the battle for bronze was intense, with Spain facing stiff competition from Italy and the United States.

Cardona’s performance on the final leg proved decisive. Despite Alonso’s three-second penalty due to a transition error, Cardona managed to overtake the American and Italian teams, securing the bronze medal for Spain. “Cardona flew in the last relay,” reported Ara, highlighting his competitive spirit.

Alonso’s Inspiring Comeback

Alonso’s participation in the Games was particularly remarkable, given a serious setback she faced just months prior. In September 2025, a car struck her while she trained on her bicycle in Sierra Nevada, causing injuries that threatened her Olympic aspirations. The Washington Post reported that her determination and recovery have inspired many. Ara quoted Alonso as saying she was “very tired and worried” after her final relay due to her error, making Cardona’s performance all the more impactful.

Key Moments in the Race

The race unfolded with France quickly establishing a lead, followed by Switzerland in second place. Alonso initially skied well, holding third position. However, a costly error during the transition to the climbing skins saw her drop to fifth, handing over to Cardona with ground to make up.

Cardona’s aggressive skiing style on the uphill sections allowed him to regain ground, finishing his first leg in third. Fatton of Switzerland consolidated her team’s second position, while Alonso faced pressure from Italy and the United States. She handed over the final leg to Cardona in fourth place, setting the stage for his medal-winning performance.

According to betevé, these transition phases, where athletes remove their skis to navigate stairs or switch between climbing skins and skis, are crucial and can significantly impact the outcome of the race. Failure to adhere to the rules in these zones results in penalties.

A Historic Achievement for Catalan Sport

At 31 years old, Cardona has cemented his place in Catalan sporting history with his two medals at these Games. With these medals, Oriol Cardona has become the most decorated Catalan-born athlete at the Winter Olympics. Cardona surpassed Queralt Castellet, who had previously won a silver medal in the halfpipe. However, he remains behind Martin Fourcade, who secured seven medals (six gold) for Northern Catalonia in biathlon.

The International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF) oversees the sport, which has a strong tradition in Catalonia, although this is its debut as an Olympic sport. This achievement adds to the growing recognition of ski mountaineering and its athletes on the world stage.

This victory marks Spain’s most successful Winter Games to date, according to Sur in English, highlighting the significance of Cardona and Alonso’s performance.

The Federació d’Entitats Excursionistes de Catalunya (FEEC) plays a vital role in promoting and developing ski mountaineering in the region, fostering the talent leading to international success.

Ana Alonso Rodriguez’s Milano Cortina 2026 profile can be found here.

Information about the event can be found on the Milano Cortina 2026 Official Website.