First U.S. Cross-Country Medal in 50 Years at Milano Cortina

Ben Ogden etched his name into United States Olympic history, capturing silver in the men’s 15 km classic individual start at the Milano Cortina Winter Games — the first medal for an American man in cross-country skiing in 50 years. The 24-year-old Vermonter’s breakthrough performance ended a half-century drought and instantly made him one of the breakout stars of these Olympics.

Here are 10 things you must know about Ben Ogden, the skier who just changed the trajectory of American cross-country forever.

1. Small-Town Vermont Roots Born in February 13, 2000, in Rutland, Vermont, Ogden grew up in the tiny hamlet of Landgrove (population ~150). He learned to ski on the groomed trails behind his family home and joined the nearby Stratton Mountain School at age 12. The remote, snowy environment and tight-knit ski community shaped his early work ethic and love for classic technique — the slower, kick-and-glide style that demands precision and endurance rather than raw speed.
2. Late Bloomer Who Defied Early Expectations Unlike many elite skiers who dominate junior nationals by age 15, Ogden was not an early phenom. He didn’t win his first U.S. national junior title until age 18 and was considered a solid but unspectacular prospect. What set him apart was consistency: he rarely missed training days, even in brutal Vermont winters, and steadily climbed through the U.S. Ski Team development pipeline.
3. Switch from Sprint Specialist to Distance Threat Ogden initially focused on sprint racing — shorter, explosive events that reward anaerobic power. But after finishing 7th in the 15 km classic at the 2023 Oberstdorf World Championships (best U.S. result in the event since Bill Koch), coaches shifted his emphasis to distance. The decision paid off: by 2025 he was regularly finishing top-10 in World Cup 15 km and 30 km races.
4. First U.S. Men’s Individual Cross-Country Olympic Medal Since 1976 Bill Koch’s silver in the 30 km at Innsbruck 1976 had stood alone for half a century. No American man had reached an individual cross-country podium since — until Ogden’s Silver on Feb. 11, 2026. Jessie Diggins won individual sprint gold (2018) and team sprint medals (2018 & 2022), but the men’s individual distance drought was one of the longest in any Olympic endurance sport.
5. Training Partnership with Jessie Diggins & the Craftsbury Green Team Ogden trains primarily with the Craftsbury Green Racing Project in Vermont — a unique athlete-owned cooperative that emphasizes community, sustainability and long-term development over quick results. He frequently shares workouts and recovery sessions with Olympic champion Jessie Diggins, who has publicly called him “the most consistent skier I’ve ever trained with.”
6. Technical Mastery & Signature Style Ogden is known for textbook classic technique: powerful kick double-pole transitions, efficient weight transfer and exceptional glide on flats. His coaches credit endless hours on rollerskis and hill repeats for his form. In the 15 km race he used classic herringbone technique flawlessly on steep climbs and maintained composure even when temperatures dropped to −14°C (7°F), conditions that caused several top skiers to struggle with grip.
7. Injury History & Mental Resilience Ogden battled a stress fracture in his tibia during the 2022–23 season and a bout of overtraining in 2024 that forced him to miss several World Cup starts. He has spoken openly about working with a sports psychologist to manage performance anxiety and perfectionism — traits common among endurance athletes. “I used to think every bad workout meant I wasn’t good enough,” he said in a 2025 interview. “Now I trust the process.”
8. Off-Snow Personality & Social-Media Presence Despite his reserved demeanor in interviews, Ogden is engaging on Instagram (@benogden_ski) and TikTok, where he shares training clips, Vermont farm life, and lighthearted moments with teammates. He’s known for dry humor and a love of classic rock — he frequently skis to Led Zeppelin playlists. Fans appreciate his authenticity in an era when many athletes heavily curate their image.
9. Role in U.S. Ski Team’s Cultural Shift Ogden represents a new generation of American cross-country skiers who train full-time, live the professional lifestyle and expect podium results. He has been vocal about the need for better waxing resources, altitude camps and mental-health support — changes the U.S. Ski & Snowboard federation has gradually implemented. His medal validates that investment and inspires younger athletes in a sport long dominated by Scandinavia.
10. Looking Ahead: Relay, 50 km & Milano Cortina Legacy Ogden is scheduled to race the men’s 4×10 km relay (Feb. 14) and the 50 km mass-start classic (Feb. 19). With his form and confidence, he gives the U.S. men a realistic shot at a relay medal — something no American team has achieved since 1976. Regardless of what happens next, his silver already stands as the defining moment of the U.S. cross-country program’s resurgence.

Post-race, Ogden dedicated the medal to Bill Koch — the only other American man to win an individual Olympic cross-country medal — and to every coach and teammate who believed the U.S. could compete with Norway.

“I hope this shows kids in Vermont, in Minnesota, in Alaska — anywhere with snow — that you don’t have to be Norwegian or Swedish to win,” he said. “You just have to show up every day and believe it’s possible.”

For the first time in half a century, an American man stands on an Olympic cross-country podium. Ben Ogden made sure of it — and he’s just getting started.