​Two-time Olympian Rosie Fordham now has the two highest individual World Cup finishes ever by an Australian cross‑country skier, following a 16th‑place result in the 20km mass start free event at the World Cup Final in Lake Placid, USA.
 
Fordham had already set the record for the best ever individual result by an Australian in December, when she finished 13th in the 10km free World Cup in Davos, Switzerland.
 
In Lake Placid, Fordham crossed the line 25.2 seconds behind event winner Jonna Sundling of Sweden to secure 16th place. She was also the leading Australian in the 10km interval start classic, finishing 44th and was 57th in the women’s sprint.
 
In the men’s sprint event, Lars Young Vik finished in 44th, with Olympic teammate Hugo Hinckfuss 52nd.
 
Result summary from Lake Placid
           
Women's 10km Interval Start Classic           
Rosie Fordham – 44th
Phoebe Cridland – 52nd
Maddie Hooker – DNF
           
Men's 10km Interval Start Classic    
Seve De Campo – 57th
Hugo Hinckfuss – 74th
 
Women's Sprint Qualification                      
Rosie Fordham – 57th
Phebe Cridland – 59th
           
Men's Sprint Qualification    
Lars Young Vik – 44th
Hugo Hinckfuss – 52nd
Seve De Campo 74th
 
Women's 20km Mass Start Free      
Rodie Fordham – 16th
Phoebe Cridland – 55th
 
Men's 20km Mass Start Free
Lars Young Vik – 74th
Hugo Hinckfuss – 75th
Seve De Campo – 77th

Australia has celebrated a historic milestone in cross-country skiing, with Lars Young Vik and Hugo Hinckfuss qualifying ninth overall to become the nation’s first-ever Olympic Team Sprint finalists.  

On the demanding course in Val di Fiemme at the 2026 Winter Olympics, the Australian duo delivered composed and powerful performances to finish well inside the top 15 nations required to progress to the final.  

Article courtesy olympics.com.au ​

In the final, the duo finished 14th after three fast-paced laps of the course each. It marks a significant breakthrough for Australian cross-country skiing on the Olympic stage. 

The Australian women’s team of Rosie Fordham and Phoebe Cridland placed 18th in the qualification rankings. The pair showed strong form throughout, however Cridland was unfortunate to fall in the finishing straight.  

Lars Young Vik admitted afterwards that while it may not have felt like the race of his life physically, the result speaks for itself. 

“Result-wise, probably yes. I was so nervous. In the first part I was thinking, ‘Am I fast enough?’ But I knew I had a lot of energy in the tank, and I could really push over those two hills. That was really cool.” 

He reflected that some of his World Cup races last season, where he hovered around 30th, may have felt stronger physically. 

“I’ve been feeling a bit off the past month, and it’s starting to get better now. But result-wise, this is definitely the best.” 

Hugo Hinckfuss was full of praise for his teammate. 

“That was incredible. Lars did everything. Seeing him on that first leg, he really set the standard for us as a country. Mentally, the job was done, and I just had to do what I could. I’m so impressed and so happy with how he skied today.” 

For Hinckfuss, the result was about more than just one race. 

“We’ve been waiting for this day for four years. The Olympics haven’t gone how we hoped, and our motto was, ‘Save the season.’ Today we’re saving the season. We’re trying to make everyone proud at home. I’m just so proud of Lars.” 

Sweden’s Jonna Sundling and Maja Dahlqvist claimed victory in the women’s Team Sprint, ahead of Switzerland’s Nadja Kälin and Nadine Fähndrich in second, and Germany’s Laura Gimmler and Coletta Rydzek in third.  

In the men’s event, Norway’s Johannes Høsflot Klæbo and Einar Hedegart took the win, marking Klæbo’s fifth Olympic gold medal of the Games, with the United States pairing of Ben Ogden and Gus Schumacher finishing second, and Italy’s Elia Barp and Federico Pellegrino rounding out the podium in third.

​Rosie Fordham, Maddie Hooker, Phoebe Cridland and Ellie Søhol Lie made history today in the women’s 4x7.5km Cross-Country relay, becoming the first ever Australian Cross-Country relay team to compete at a Winter Olympic Games. 

​​Article courtesy olympics.com.au

Battling soft snow and wet conditions, the team took on the demanding relay format consisting of two classic technique legs followed by two freestyle legs. The Aussie team finished up 14th position out of 19 starting teams.  

Cridland was overjoyed when reflecting on the team’s experience. 

“It was just super special. I think we all came into today with an extra pep in our step knowing that it was going to be an historic day. And then to be able to finish now, we're just really elated.” 

Fordham also acknowledged the challenging conditions faced throughout the race. 

“We fought so hard to make it all the way to the end. And you just see even though people crashed and even though maybe things didn't go exactly to plan, everybody's fighting as hard as they can because we all want that moment where we cross the line together.” 

An eventful race saw Sweden lose the early lead following several crashes, opening the door for Norway to take control and secure a dominant victory. Sweden crossed the line 50 seconds later in second place, followed by Finland in third. 

With no men’s relay on the Olympic program, the Australian Cross-Country athletes will now have a few days to recover before returning to competition for the team sprint on February 18. 

​Finishing 33rd in the women’s 10km Individual Freestyle event, Rosie Fordham recorded the second-best individual Olympic result in Australian Cross-Country Skiing history. 

Behind Fordham, Phoebe Cridland placed 49th, Ellen Søhol Lie 57th, and Maddie Hooker 77th in a strong team showing. 

Article courtesy olympics.com.au
​
“The uphills were long and really hard, especially the last one,” Fordham said. “You look at it afterwards and think, how did I even get up that?” 

With family watching from the stands, the moment carried extra meaning. 

“It’s so nice to have them here,. They don’t get to watch me race very often because it’s so far away, so having the whole crew here is really special. They’d be happy no matter how I went, which makes it even nicer.” 

Hooker also embraced the Olympic crowd, enjoying a late sprint battle to the finish. 

“It was a really cool race, loads of cheering and a great atmosphere,” Hooker said. “I had a really fun sprint finish, which was exciting.” 

Lie reflected on the demanding course. 

“I liked the first loop, but the second and third lap were just hard,” she explained.  

“That’s also my weakest side, so I spent a lot of time in offset today.” 

Looking ahead, her focus is already on what’s next. 

“The relay is going to be unreal here. I’m really excited for it.” 

Phoebe Cridland described the race as close to the toughest of her career.  

“The hardest thing was knowing another hill was coming,” she said. 

“It was a bit hard to hear splits because of the noise, but it was pretty cool. People were enjoying themselves.” 

Frida Karlsson of Sweden secured a dominant win by 46 seconds, ahead of Ebba Andersson, while USA’s Jessie Diggins completed the podium in a tight battle for third.

Australia will return to the start line in the men’s 10km individual freestyle tomorrow, with Hugo Hinckfuss, Lars Vik Young and Seve De Campo set to race. 

The first starter goes off at 11:45 CET (9:45pm AEDT). 

The Australian women’s cross-country team delivered a determined performance in the skiathlon in Val di Fiemme, fighting hard across both the classic and freestyle legs of the race. 

Rosie Fordham was the leading Australian, finishing 49th after a strong effort to avoid being lapped by the lead group, who set a fast pace from the start. Fordham was in 56th at the transition into skate and made her way through the field in her preferred technique for a top 50 finish. 

​Article courtesy olympics.com.au

“The classic part was really hard. I was struggling on the flats and downhills, but I knew if I could just hang in, I’d feel good once I switched to skate,” Fordham said. 

“As soon as I put the skate skis on, I felt incredible and was able to start catching people.”

Phoebe Cridland, Ellen Søhol Lie, and Maddie Hooker were unfortunately lapped by the leading group as the tempo increased following the switch from classic to freestyle.

Despite the challenging conditions, the team showed promising form, with positive signs heading into the upcoming races. Performance Manager Finn Marsland noted that the classic waxing did not quite hit the mark on the day but emphasised the team’s motivation to continue improving conditions for the athletes to compete on an even playing field.

At the conclusion of the race Sweden finished one-two in the opening cross-country event at Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium with Frida Karlsson carrying the national flag over the line to win gold ahead of compatriot Ebba Anderson. Norway's Heidi Weng finished in third.

Ahead of the Men’s Skiathlon
Seve De Campo and Hugo Hinkfuss will line-up for tomorrow’s Men’s 10km + 10km Skiathlon. Like today’s women’s event the Men’s Skiathlon will consist of both a 10km ‘classic’ section, where the skiers glide along tracks etched in the snow and a 10km ‘free’ section (also called "skate"). Here the skier makes lateral movements relative to the direction they are travelling, skating to the finish.

De Campo is looking forward to the race as he prepares to compete at his second Olympic Games, “[I’m] starting to get very excited. It’s always special racing at the Olympics and knowing you can probably give that extra one or two per cent, because you’ve got your country behind you. So, I’m really keen to get out there,” he said.

De Campo said he feels confident and ready to perform at his best heading into his first race of these Games.

“Second Olympics, so I’m feeling prepared,” he said.

The skiathlon promises to be an event not to be missed, watch our Men’s Cross-Country Team push the limits of physical endurance.

Australia’s leading Cross Country skier Rosie Fordham has made history achieving Australia’s best ever induvial World Cup performance with a 13th place finish in the 10km freestyle event in Davos, Switzerland.
 
The result marks the first time an Australian has finished in the top 20 in an individual World Cup race, surpassing Jessica Yeaton’s previous best of 24th in 2017.
 
Fordham completed the course in 27 minutes, 27.5 seconds, finishing 52.6 seconds behind event winner Karoline Simpson-Larsen of Norway.
 
Reflecting on her historic achievement, Fordham said:
 
“I’m super stoked with the result today. I’ve been chasing a top 30 for a while now and I knew the day would come, but this is just way beyond what I ever thought was possible.”
 
“It feels pretty surreal. It’s so cool to be able to break through in a sport dominated by Europeans.”
 
Results for Australian’s competing in Davos included:
 
Women’s Team Sprint
-    18th (Rosie Fordham and Phoebe Cridland)
-    23rd (Maddie Hooker and Ellen Soehol Lie)

Men’s Team Sprint
-    28th (Phil Bellingham & Bentley Walker-Broose)

Women’s Individual Sprint
-    55th Phoebe Cridland
-    59th Ellen Soehol Lie
-    70th Maddie Hooker

Men’s Individual Sprint
-    53rd Hugo Hinckfuss
-    55th Lars Young Vik
-    72nd Bentley Walker-Broose
-    87th Seve de Campo

Women’s 10km Interval Start Free
-    13th Rosie Fordham
-    50th Phoebe Cridland
-    54th Ellen Soehol Lie
-    64th Maddie Hooker

Men’s 10km Interval Start Free
-    66th Seve de Campo
-    78th Hugo Hinckfuss
-    85th Lars Young Vik
-    98th Bentley Walker-Broose

Rosie Fordham racing in Davos
© BILDBYRÅN

The FIS Cross Country Skiing World Cup moved to Trondheim, Norway this week for the second stop of the season, with nine Australian athletes taking part.
 
Rosie Fordham led the Australian contingent, delivering two strong performances with 36th place in the 10km interval freestyle and 40th in the 20km skiathlon. Both results count as Tier 3 finishes (top 60%), contributing towards Olympic qualification.

Phoebe Cridland also achieved a Tier 3 result, finishing 44th in the 10km freestyle.
 
The next World Cup event will be held in Davos, Switzerland, featuring a team sprint, individual sprint, and 10km interval race.

Summary of Australian results in Trondheim.

Sprint Classic
Women
67th - Maddie Hooker
68th - Ellen Soehol Lie
Men
75th - Lars Young Vik
78th - Phillip Bellingham
80th - Fedele de Campo
 
20km Skiathlon
Women
40th - Rosie Fordham
Men
73rd - Seve de Campo
86th - Bentley Walker-Broose
 
10km Freestyle
36th - Rosie Fordham
44th - Phoebe Cridland
72nd - Maddie Hooker
73rd - Ellen Soehol Lie
 
78th - Seve de Campo
89th - Bentley Walker-Broose
93rd - Phillip Bellingham
95th - Fedele de Campo

IMAGE
Rosie Fordham racing in Norway
© BILDBYRÅN

The Australian Cross Country Skiing Team has returned to competition a week after the 2025 World Championships, remaining in Norway for a World Cup in Oslo.
 
Phoebe Cridland was the best place finisher for Australia in a personal best placing of 41st in the women’s 20km Interval Start Classic.
 
See below results summary
 
The next World Cup will take place in Tallinn, Estonia, with a city spring race on March 19.
 
Women's 20km Interval Start Classic
41st Phoebe Cridland
46th Rosie Fordham
 
Men's 20km Interval Start Classic
63rd Seve De Campo
66th Phillip Bellingham
68th Bentley Walker-Broose
74th Fedele De Campo
 
Women’s 10km Interval Start Free
45th Rosie Fordham
51st Phoebe Cridland
 
Men’s 10km Interval Start Free
68th Seve De Campo
69th Lars Young Vik
71st Phillip Bellingham
78th Bentley Walker-Broose

The Cross Country Skiing World Cup tour was in Cogne, Italy, over the weekend, with Australian athletes competing in the team sprint, individual sprint and 10km interval start free events.
 
In the team sprint events, the Australia 1 men’s team of Hugo Hinckfuss and Lars Young Vik did well, finishing in 22nd place from a field of 34 teams, and the women’s team of Rosie Fordham and Tuva Bygrave were 19th from a field of 21.
 
Rosie Fordham the highest place individual finisher in 37th in the women’s 10km interval start free.
 
Fordham and Hinckfuss will remain in Italy for the Under 23 World Championships, taking place in Schilpario from February 3 to 9.
 
Result Summary
 
Women’s Team Sprint Classic
Rosie Fordham/Tuva Bygrave – 19th
 
Men’s Team Sprint Classic
Hugo Hinckfuss/Lars Young Vik – 22nd
Bentley Walker-Broose/Fedele De Campo 31st
 
Women’s Sprint Classic
Tuva Bygrave – 55th
Phoebe Cridland – 56th
 
Men’s Sprint Classic
Lars Young Vik – 48th
Hugo Hinckfuss – 57th
Fedele De Campo – 81st
 
Women’s 10km Interval Start Free
Rosie Fordham – 37th
Tuva Bygrave – 39th
Phoebe Cridland – 52nd
 
Men’s 10km Interval Start Free
Hugo Hinckfuss – 44th
Lars Young Vik – 68th
Bentley Walker-Broose – 73rd
Fedele De Campo – 78th