Historic Day for Spain: Oriol Cardona and Ana Alonso Shine at Milan Cortina 2026

In a remarkable display of skill and resilience, Oriol Cardona has claimed the gold medal in the sprint event of mountain skiing at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. This achievement not only confirms Cardona's status as a favorite but also makes him the second Spaniard in history to win gold at the Winter Games, joining the ranks of Paquito Fernández Ochoa, who won in Sapporo in 1972. The day was a significant milestone in Spanish sports, as minutes prior to Cardona's victory, Ana Alonso secured the bronze medal in the same event, marking a historic debut for her in Olympic competition. With these two triumphant performances, Spain bolstered its Winter Olympics medal tally to seven. Oriol Cardona, born 31 years ago in Banyoles, Girona, and a double world and European champion, lived up to the expectations and etched his name into the annals of national sports history. He achieved his victory ahead of Nikita Filippov from Russia, who finished second, and French athlete Thibault Anselmet, who took bronze. Ana Alonso, also 31 and hailing from Granada, showcased extraordinary tenacity by overcoming serious injuries sustained just four months prior when she was hit by a car while training on a bicycle. Despite facing challenges such as a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, a torn medial collateral ligament, bone edema in her knee, and a malleolus fracture, Alonso chose to forego surgery to pursue her Olympic dream. She fulfilled that dream by finishing third in a fiercely contested event won by Switzerland’s Marianne Fatton, with Frenchwoman Emily Harrop taking silver. Alonso's accomplishment not only adds a sixth medal to Spain's Winter Olympics history but, coupled with Cardona's victory, represents a significant moment for Spanish winter sports. With now two gold medals among their tally, Spain is solidifying its presence in traditionally challenging winter sports. As both athletes bask in their well-deserved glory, their achievements serve as an inspiration not just for aspiring athletes in Spain, but for competitors around the world who show that determination and resilience can lead to astounding victories. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2