Oriol Cardona Caps Historic Season With Mixed Relay Victory in Villars-sur-Ollon

Spanish ski mountaineer Oriol Cardona Coll has set the finishing touch on a career-defining season, securing a victory in the mixed relay during the final stage of the Ski mountaineering World Cup in Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland. The win serves as a triumphant coda to a year where Cardona evolved from a consistent contender into a global icon of the sport.

Oriol Cardona, bronze en els Jocs Olímpics de Milà-Cortina, ha posat la cirereta del pastís a la seva brillant temporada en imposar-se en el relleu mixt de l’última etapa de la Copa del Món d’esquí de muntanya, disputada en Villars-sir-Ollon, a Suïssa.

The mixed relay victory in Switzerland arrives amid a whirlwind of success for the 31-year-traditional athlete. While the win in Villars-sur-Ollon provides a high-note ending to the calendar, it is the broader context of his 2026 campaign that has the sporting world talking. For those unfamiliar with the discipline, ski mountaineering blends the endurance of alpine touring with the intensity of competitive racing, requiring athletes to ascend steep peaks and descend rapidly under extreme conditions.

The Battle for the World Cup Sprint Title

Despite the relay glory, the season was a nail-biting pursuit of the World Cup sprint general classification. Cardona entered the final events in a tight race with France’s Thibault Anselmet. While Cardona demonstrated immense consistency—claiming victories in Courchevel and Val Martello and a second-place finish in Boi-Taüll—a stumble in Puy Saint-Vincent proved costly. A quarterfinal exit in that race left him in 17th place, earning only 34 points and handing the lead to Anselmet.

Heading into the finale at Villars-sur-Ollon, Cardona trailed by 17 points. To reclaim the top spot, he needed a win and a poor showing from the Frenchman. While Cardona fought hard to finish third in the sprint race, it wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit. He officially closes the season second in the general standings, narrowly missing out on the title but cementing his status as one of the most dominant forces in the sprint specialty.

An Olympic Milestone for Spain

The World Cup results, however, are secondary to the history Cardona wrote at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Cardona captured the gold medal in the sprint race, a feat that resonated far beyond the ski mountaineering community. It marked the first gold medal for Spain at the Winter Olympic Games since 1972, ending a 54-year drought for the nation in winter sports.

Cardona didn’t stop at gold; he also secured a bronze medal during the Milano Cortina Games, proving his versatility and resilience on the world’s biggest stage. This Olympic haul has transformed him into a national hero in Spain, particularly in his native Catalonia, where his ascent in the sport has been closely followed.

The Jornet Influence and Technical Mastery

Much of Cardona’s recent surge in performance can be attributed to his training regime. He is currently coached by the legendary Kilian Jornet, a titan of mountain sports who previously won the general sprint title in 2011 and 2012. The mentorship of Jornet has seemingly refined Cardona’s tactical approach to the sprint, where fractions of a second determine the podium.

Beyond the raw statistics, Cardona has brought a level of flair to the sport that is rarely seen in high-stakes competition. During the ISMF World Cup in Villars-sur-Ollon, Cardona stunned spectators and competitors alike by executing a full 360-degree spin during a descent. It was a moment of pure confidence that highlighted the gap between Cardona and the rest of the field—not just in speed, but in technical mastery of the terrain.

Career Trajectory and Accolades

Cardona’s 2026 success is the culmination of a steady climb. He first made his mark on the European stage in 2022, winning gold in the sprint race with a time of 3:17.988. He followed that with a World Championship gold in the 2023 sprint race, clocking in at 2:35.218. In 2024, he expanded his repertoire by winning a European Championship gold in the mixed relay alongside Ana Alonso Rodriguez.

By combining these regional and world titles with his Olympic gold, Cardona has effectively completed the “grand slam” of ski mountaineering sprinting. His ability to maintain peak form across different formats—from individual sprints to mixed relays—makes him the benchmark for the next generation of mountain athletes.

Season Summary: Oriol Cardona (2026)

• Olympic Games: Gold (Sprint), Bronze (Additional event)
• World Cup Sprint General: 2nd Place
• World Cup Victories: Courchevel, Val Martello, Villars-sur-Ollon (Mixed Relay)
• Key Technical Feat: Full 360-degree spin during Villars-sur-Ollon descent
• Historical Note: First Spanish Winter Olympic gold since 1972

As the 2026 season draws to a close, the focus now shifts to how Cardona will defend his titles and whether he can capture the World Cup general trophy that narrowly eluded him this year. For now, the Spanish champion can celebrate a season that redefined the possibilities for his country in the winter arena.

Stay tuned to Archysport for official updates on the upcoming ISMF calendar and further analysis of the 2026 season standings.