France Claims First Olympic Ski Mountaineering Gold in Mixed Relay
MILANO CORTINA, Italy – France’s Emily Harrop and Thibault Anselmet have secured the inaugural Olympic gold medal in ski mountaineering’s mixed relay event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. The French duo dominated the race on Saturday, February 21, 2026, finishing ahead of their competitors and marking a historic moment for the sport’s debut on the Olympic stage.
Harrop and Anselmet consistently led throughout the competition, demonstrating a powerful synergy that proved unbeatable. This victory underscores France’s strength in ski mountaineering, a discipline gaining prominence in the winter sports world.
Emily Harrop, born September 27, 1997, is a seasoned ski mountaineer with multiple World Championship titles to her name. She previously earned a silver medal in the women’s sprint event earlier in the Games, according to CNA. She made her European Championships debut in 2022, winning gold in the mixed relay alongside Anselmet.
Thibault Anselmet also secured a bronze medal in the men’s event earlier in the week, as reported by Olympics.com.
The French team earned their spot in the mixed relay discipline at the 2026 Winter Olympics after winning gold at the 2025 World Championship of Ski Mountaineering, again with Harrop and Anselmet as the winning pair. Their consistent performance throughout the season positioned them as strong contenders for the Olympic title. More information about the event can be found at Barron’s.
This gold medal win marks a significant achievement for French ski mountaineering and sets a high bar for future competitions. The victory also highlights the growing popularity and competitive level of ski mountaineering as a thrilling addition to the Winter Olympic program, as detailed by The Star.
