Marianne Fatton (SUI) will forever hold the unique distinction of first person to ever win a gold medal in ski mountaineering at the Winter Olympics. The 30-year-old outlasted and outraced 17 other competitors on Thursday to emerge victorious in the women’s sprint as the snow fell in Bormio. She clocked in at 2:59.77 in the final.

Six-time world champion Emily Harrop (FRA) snagged silver in her Olympic debut, finishing a little over two seconds behind Fatton (+2.38).

Ana Alonso Rodriguez (SPA) claimed bronze (+10.45).

Harrop, the event’s gold medal favorite heading in, motored through the skinning section of the course, which required the athletes to ski uphill. She carried the advantage through the diamond obstacle leg, passed the first transition, and up the steep boot packing steps.

The 28-year-old appeared to be in complete control, until the second transition. She couldn’t quite shimmy her right boot into her ski, perhaps because of the wet, snowy conditions.

Fatton, who’d been keeping pace with Harrop, not too far behind, pulled ahead and hustled uphill to the top of the course. Harrop was hot on her tail, but Fatton had gained a lead that proved to be insurmountable. She ripped the skins off her skis and carved down to the finish line. As soon as she crossed it, she fell into a nearby snowbank and cried.

Harrop finished in a close 2nd, and Alonso, who hovered in 5th place for much of the race, snuck into 3rd. It was remarkable that Alonso even competed in the sprint (let alone reached the podium) given that she was hit by a car while cycling in October. 

The crash resulted in a torn ACL and MCL, as well as a shoulder dislocation and ankle fracture. Still, Alonso elected not to have surgery for the opportunity to represent her country at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Represent Spain she did, securing a bronze medal, and in the process, becoming the third Spanish woman ever to earn a Winter Olympic medal.

Ski mountaineering returns on Saturday when Americans Anna Gibson and Cam Smith team up to compete in the mixed relay event. The action starts at 7:30 a.m. ET and will stream live on Peacock and NBCOlympics.com.

Top-6 finishers in women’s sprint

1
Marianne Fatton (SUI)

2
Emily Harrop (FRA)

3
Ana Alonso Rodriguez (ESP)

4
Tatjana Paller (GER)

5
Giulia Murada (ITA)

6
Margot Ravinel (FRA)