Italy's cross-country skiing team added another medal to their tally at Milano Cortina 2026 as Federico Pellegrino and Simone Barp claimed bronze in the men's team sprint technique libre event.
The Italian duo delivered a strong performance to secure third place on home snow, bringing Italy's total medal count at the Winter Olympics to 25. The result marks another successful chapter for Italian cross-country skiing at these Games, with the team sprint format proving particularly fruitful for the Azzurri.
Federico Pellegrino, one of Italy's most decorated cross-country skiers, teamed up with Simone Barp to navigate the demanding team sprint course. The format requires two athletes to alternate legs, demanding both individual speed and seamless transitions between teammates. The Italian pair executed their race strategy effectively to claim a spot on the podium.
Team Sprint Success for Italy
The bronze medal in the men's team sprint technique libre represents a significant achievement for Italian cross-country skiing. Pellegrino's experience at the highest level of the sport combined with Barp's contributions proved to be the winning formula for securing a podium finish in front of the home crowd.
Team sprint events have become increasingly competitive in recent years, with nations fielding their strongest combinations of speed and tactical awareness. The Italian pairing demonstrated both qualities throughout the race, maintaining their position among the medal contenders and ultimately securing third place.
25th Medal for Italy at Milano Cortina
This bronze medal marks the 25th overall medal for Italy at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, continuing the host nation's strong performance across multiple disciplines. The Italian team has consistently delivered results throughout the Games, with cross-country skiing playing a key role in the medal count.
The home advantage has clearly benefited the Italian athletes, with the support of local crowds providing additional motivation. For Pellegrino and Barp, racing in front of Italian fans added special significance to their bronze medal performance in the team sprint event.
