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Ski Mountaineering ‘Skimo’ Makes Olympic Debut at Milan‑Cortina 2026

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Skimo Officially Added to 2026 Winter Games Program On Feb 19 2026 the International Olympic Committee confirmed ski mountaineering, known as “skimo,” will appear for the first time at the Milan‑Cortina Games, expanding the sport roster for the 2026 edition [1][2]. The debut includes only two disciplines: an individual sprint and a mixed‑gender relay. Both outlets note the addition follows a 2021 announcement that paved the way for the sport’s Olympic inclusion.

Sprint Race Combines Ascent, Descent, and Rapid Transitions The sprint course lasts three to four minutes and features three uphill sections separated by two transition zones where athletes detach skis, carry them, and re‑attach skins for short climbs before the final downhill run [1][2]. Competitors begin by running uphill with skis on their boots, navigating a diamond‑gate obstacle course, then sprint up stairs after the first transition [1]. Seconds separate winners, making transition speed decisive, while penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct remain rare [2].

Mixed Relay Pairs One Man and One Woman for Four Laps The relay teams consist of one male and one female athlete who alternate four laps, each lap containing two ascents and two descents, creating a fast‑paced format [1][2]. The event is scheduled for Feb 21, following the individual sprints that start on Feb 19 [2]. Mixed‑gender composition emphasizes gender parity and adds strategic depth to team selection.

Team USA Leads With Cam Smith and Anna Gibson The United States will be represented by Cam Smith, returning from injury, and Anna Gibson, who qualified after a rapid seven‑month rise and a mixed‑relay victory at her first World Cup [2]. Both athletes have professionalized the U.S. program, which historically received military sponsorship like other nations still do [2]. Their participation highlights the sport’s growing global reach and the U.S. commitment to the new Olympic discipline.

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Timeline

Prehistoric era – Ski mountaineering’s ancestors appear in prehistoric Scandinavia, where early skis serve transportation and hunting in snowy terrain, laying the foundation for modern ski‑mountaineering techniques. [3][4]

Late 1800s – The practice spreads to the Alps as English travelers and mountaineers adopt skis to ascend peaks on foot before descending, establishing the sport’s Alpine heritage. [3][4]

1924‑1948 – Military patrol events, the forerunners of ski mountaineering, feature in the Winter Olympics, showcasing back‑country skiing skills of soldiers before being replaced by biathlon. [4]

1933 – The Italian Trofeo Mezzalama launches, becoming one of the first organized ski‑mountaineering competitions and cementing the sport’s competitive tradition. [4]

1943 – Switzerland introduces the Patrouille des Glaciers, further institutionalizing ski‑mountaineering as a high‑altitude team race. [4]

1988 – European ski federations found the Comité International du Ski‑Alpinisme de Compétition (CISAC), providing the first unified governing body for the sport. [4]

2008 – CISAC merges into the International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF), which now oversees World Championships, continental cups, and the World Cup circuit. [4]

2020 – Ski mountaineering makes its Youth Olympic debut in Lausanne, exposing the sport to a global audience and proving its Olympic viability. [3]

July 2021 – The International Olympic Committee officially approves ski mountaineering for inclusion in the 2026 Winter Games, marking a decisive step toward full Olympic status. [3][4]

Oct 2021 – Bormio in Italy’s Valtellina valley is selected as the Olympic venue, designating the Stelvio Ski Centre for sprint and relay events. [3][4]

July 2025 – Anna Gibson rises rapidly in the World Cup circuit, winning a mixed‑relay race in her first season and securing a spot on Team USA for the Olympic debut. [2]

Late 2025 – Cam Smith overcomes a series of injuries to re‑qualify for the U.S. team, aiming for his first Olympic appearance in ski mountaineering. [2]

Dec 22, 2025 – The IOC announces that ski mountaineering (skimo) will debut at Milan‑Cortina 2026 with sprint races and a mixed‑gender relay in Bormio, emphasizing the sport’s military heritage and the Games’ goal to diversify winter disciplines. [3][4]

Feb 19, 2026 – The Olympic program opens with individual sprint events for men and women; athletes tackle three uphill sections, a diamond‑gate obstacle course, and rapid ski‑boot transitions, completing the course in three to four minutes. [1][2][3]

Feb 21, 2026 – The mixed relay takes place, featuring man‑woman pairs completing four alternating laps with two ascents and two descents per lap, and athletes execute decisive skin‑on and skin‑off transitions that can decide medal outcomes. [1][2][3]

Post‑Games 2026 (future) – The IOC plans to leverage ski mountaineering’s success to further expand the winter sports portfolio and attract new audiences, continuing its strategy of honoring alpine tradition while modernizing the Olympic program. [3]

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