Colombian skier Fredrik Fodstad marked a milestone in his career this Sunday, February 8, by officially debuting at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

The demanding skiathlon event, held at the Tesero Cross Country Ski Stadium, saw the national representative face a total route of 20 kilometers, divided equally between classic and free styles.

The competition began with a mass start where Fodstad maintained a constant pace during the first section.

After overcoming the first 1.5 kilometers with a time of 4:27.1, the Colombian placed 68th in the group.

At the end of the initial 10 kilometers using the classic style technique, he recorded a time of 28:50, remaining in the same position in the general classification with a difference of just over five minutes from the leader of the race.

After a smooth transition to the team change, Fodstad faced the final 10 kilometers in freestyle.

Fredrik Fodstad makes history for Colombia in the debut of the skiathlon in Milan-Cortina 2026

At the 11.8 kilometer checkpoint, the stopwatch showed 35:03.3, placing him in 69th place, a position he would defend solidly until crossing the finish line.

The podium of the day was dominated by the Norwegian Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, who took gold with a time of 46:11, followed by the Frenchman Mathis Desloges and the Norwegian Martin Nyenget, who completed the places of honor in a high-tension finish.

The activity for the Colombian athlete does not stop in European territory, as his next appointment is scheduled for this Tuesday, February 10 in the classic sprint modality.

The qualifying day will start at 3:55 am Colombia time, where Fodstad will look for a place in the final rounds after traveling the 1.5 kilometer circuit, with the hope of continuing to raise the name of the country in these winter competitions.

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