The Men’s 10km + 10km Skiathlon at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina is a grueling race where the competitors will have to deal with uphill climbs and a ton of distance to cover. With several elite athletes in fine form this season, this event rewards versatility and tactical intelligence, as competitors must transition from classic to freestyle technique across two demanding 10km legs. Before this race begins, continue reading to get my Olympic men’s skiathlon prediction from Italy.
Olympic Men’s 10km + 10km Skiathlon Betting Odds
The following list reflects the most current odds available ahead of the event for the gold medal winner in the Men’s Skiathlon at Milano Cortina 2026.
- Johannes Høsflot Klaebo (NOR): -300
- Harald Oestberg Amundsen (NOR): +600
- Martin Loewstroem Nyenget (NOR): +800
- Federico Pellegrino (ITA): +2000
- Mika Vermuelen (AUT): +3300
- Edvin Anger (SWE): +3300
- William Poromaa (SWE): +4000
- All Others: +5000 or more
Olympic Men’s Skiathlon Major Storylines
One of the biggest storylines emerging around the Men’s Skiathlon this year is the overwhelming expectation that Norway will dominate. With several top contenders in excellent form on the World Cup circuit, Norway is favored to sweep the podium in this race. Johannes Høsflot Klaebo stands out as the clear favorite. He has won major skiathlon races this season, including a World Cup skiathlon event in Val di Fiemme, Italy, where he claimed victory even after a demanding schedule.
Another important storyline is the absence of the Russian Olympic Committee athletes, who were strong competitors in previous games. Alexander Bolshunov, the defending Olympic champion in the 20km skiathlon from 2022, is not participating due to the ongoing ban on the Russian team. This absence significantly alters the competitive landscape and increases opportunities for other nations to challenge Norway’s skiers.
Italy’s Federico Pellegrino deserves attention as the top non-Norwegian contender according to the betting odds, though his chances remain long compared to the Scandinavian juggernauts. The home crowd factor could play a motivational role for Pellegrino, but his odds suggest that bookmakers view him as more of a fringe podium contender rather than a gold medal threat.
From a tactical perspective, this skiathlon course demands both classic proficiency and strong freestyle technique. Skiers must pace themselves in the first half and have the endurance to push in the final kilometers. The betting markets reflect this by favoring athletes known for consistency and strong finishes rather than pure sprinters.
Olympic Men’s Skiathlon Medal Contenders
- Johannes Høsflot Klaebo (NOR) – The odds-on favorite is coming off strong skiathlon results and has displayed world-class fitness across sprint, distance, and mixed events. Klaebo’s ability to stay near the front in the classic leg and then charge in freestyle puts him in a position to control the race.
- Harald Oestberg Amundsen (NOR) – Amundsen is clearly respected as a podium threat. While not as decorated as Klaebo, he has shown excellent consistency and strong finishes that translate well to a race like the skiathlon.
- Martin Loewstroem Nyenget (NOR) – Nyenget’s odds show that he is long shot to win, but that he could do it if he runs his best race. Recent World Cup performances have kept him in the conversation as a hard-working distance skier who can capitalize on an off day from his countrymen.
- Federico Pellegrino (ITA) – The Italian’s chances are boosted by the home track advantage and past results in distance formats. While a gold would be a surprise, a podium spot is within the realm of possibility if conditions favor him.
Olympic Men’s Skiathlon Prediction
Pick:
Confidence: 4 out of 5
Final Thoughts
