Day Seven – Team Ireland at Milano Cortina ‘26
Team Ireland’s Thomas Maloney Westgård was the sole Irish athlete in action today at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The Norway-based skier was competing in the Cross-Country 10km Free Interval Start at the Tesero Cross-Country Stadium, in what was his second race of three in these Games.
In unseasonably warm conditions, his finish time of 23.08, netting fifty-fourth position, fell short of his expectations in a race that was won by Norway’s Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, ahead of Mathis Desloges from France, and Norwegian Einar Hedegart in the bronze medal position.
The 10km Interval race is a time-trial style competition, with 30 seconds separating the starters. Wearing bib 20, Maloney Westgård’s race plan was to capitalise on his steady pacing and control the opening kilometres of the race; however, the man with Galway roots struggled to find his upper speed throughout the race, losing too much time in his opening 4.9km. Towards the end of his race, Maloney Westgård found his form, ranking tenth in his closing kilometres; however, it was not enough to close the gap.
Speaking after his race, he said,
“It was a soft race; pacing was crucial in this one. I tried to open at a controlled pace and then go faster, but I didn’t really have the last gear today.
“I felt I was opening controlled, where I had to be, but when the easy terrain came, where I should push more, I felt like the gear was not there. So, it was kind of the same pace all the way, which is a bit disappointing. I was hoping for a lot of gear today, and was pushing hard, but there was only one speed, unfortunately.
“I felt straight away that I didn’t have that last gear, the last push, and when the US guy passed me, I knew he was going to have a good race, and I was hoping to get his back, but unfortunately, I didn’t have the day to follow him either. And then I knew that my dream was not going to come through today, for sure.”
With temperatures on the course hitting 8 degrees during the race, the unseasonably mild weather led to soft snow, adding to the challenge.
“It was fantastic weather, the frame was really set, but I must admit that I’m disappointed that I didn’t deliver more today. I’ve kind of felt good since the skiathlon, and I had much higher ambitions than what I finished today. I must admit that I’m a bit disappointed.
“It was warm conditions, and the snow gets softer and softer so it’s quite hard out there. I was considering throwing my head band away, but I felt bad throwing the tricolours as well, so I wanted that band to get me the extra gear. I just have to look forward, there’s one race to go.”
Putting his disappointment behind him, Maloney Westgård will now switch his focus to his preferred event next week, the 50km mass start.
“What’s good with the 50 is that you have one steady pace, I think I have that. Hopefully, I will respond more and I’ll be better with one week, and what will be will be.”
Tomorrow Cormac Comerford continues his Olympic campaign, when he competes in the Giant Slalom Runs 1 & 2, one of the technical events in Alpine Skiing.
Please contact heather@olympicsport.ie for interview requests and for moving images of training, which will be available over the coming weeks.
RESULTS – FRIDAY 13 FEBRUARY:
Cross-Country Skiing, Men’s 10km Free Interval Start, Thomas Maloney Westgård 37th with a time of 1:34.58
SCHEDULE DAY 8 – SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY (All times are Irish times – Italy is one hour ahead)
09:00 Alpine Skiing, Men’s Giant Slalom Runs 1 & 2, Cormac Comerford