Fast Tracks: IOC – Olympic Women’s Skiathlon – Podium Press Conference

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At the Olympic Women’s Skiathlon podium press conference in Val di Fiemme, the three medalists provided insight into their performances, discussing equipment choices, team dynamics, and the mental preparation that shaped one of the Games’ defining races.

Heidi Weng, who earned bronze, reflected on the significance of winning a medal at a venue tied closely to her career. Thirteen years after claiming her first major championship medal in Val di Fiemme, Weng spoke with noticeably more confidence — in English — while acknowledging the emotional weight of racing, bolstered by the presence of her Italian wax technician. Technically, Weng admitted the classic portion of the race was stressful, particularly on the uphills where grip felt uncertain. The race turned for her once she switched to skating, where she immediately felt freer and more powerful. Despite Olympic stakes, Weng said her routine remained largely unchanged from previous championships, with only a sharper focus on the moment.

Gold medalist Frida Karlsson fielded questions that ranged from equipment to philosophy. She revealed she raced the classic leg on a 10-year-old pair of skis she affectionately called her “golden pair,” skis she has owned since before becoming an elite athlete and which seem to resurface whenever championships arrive. Karlsson also described her unconventional training approach, explaining that she does not track heart rate or lactate and instead trains by feel. She credited recent altitude camps with Norwegians Johannes Høsflot Klæbo and Emil Iversen for teaching patience and discipline.

Much of Karlsson’s confidence, she said, stemmed from the Swedish team environment. With multiple athletes capable of winning gold, the squad has embraced a shared mentality built on mutual belief. Seeing teammates succeed reinforces the sense that winning is possible — a mindset cultivated intentionally through visualization during team meetings before the race.

Silver medalist Ebba Andersson echoed those themes, describing her long partnership and rivalry with Karlsson at both club and national levels. That history, she said, has transformed competition into inspiration, pushing both athletes to higher levels. With another Olympic opportunity approaching later in the week, Andersson emphasized that momentum and belief remain high.

Together, the press conference painted a picture of an Olympic podium shaped as much by trust — in skis, teammates, and oneself — as by tactics and fitness, underscoring why this skiathlon resonated far beyond the finish line.

On the ground reporting by FasterSkier’s Nat Herz.

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