Norway secured gold in the Women’s 4×7.5km relay final in February 2026, finishing in 1:15:44.8 ahead of Sweden (1:16:35.7) and Finland (1:16:59.5). The Norwegian quartet of K. Fosnæs, H. Weng, A.Ø. Slind, and K. Simpson-Larsen delivered a controlled performance across all four legs to top the podium.
Race Summary
The relay opened with tightly grouped exchanges in the first leg, as Norway and Sweden established early tempo at the front. Clean handoffs in the exchange zone maintained Norway’s rhythm through the second leg.
Mid-race, Finland remained within medal contention, holding pace with the leading pair. Germany and the United States tracked just outside podium positions, separated by narrow time margins.
On the anchor leg, Norway maintained a stable advantage, preserving their lead through disciplined pacing and efficient technique over the final 7.5km. Sweden attempted to close the gap but remained nearly 51 seconds behind at the finish.
Finland secured bronze with a consistent final leg, finishing 1:14.7 behind Sweden.
Key Performances
Norway’s consistency across all four legs proved decisive. Each skier maintained competitive split times without conceding significant gaps during transitions.
Sweden’s lineup of E. Andersson, F. Karlsson, J. Sundling, and L. Svahn delivered steady pacing but were unable to match Norway’s sustained tempo in the final segment.
Finland’s quartet of J. Joensuu, J. Matintalo, K. Niskanen, and V. Ryytty held off late pressure to secure third place.
Germany finished fourth in 1:17:20.8, followed by the United States in fifth at 1:17:37.0.
Turning Point of the Race
The decisive moment occurred during the third leg when Norway extended its margin through controlled uphill pacing. That segment created separation that Sweden could not fully recover despite a strong anchor effort.
Clean transitions in the exchange zone further reinforced Norway’s race control, preventing time losses during handoffs.
Final Results – Women’s 4×7.5km Relay
Gold – Norway
K. Fosnæs, H. Weng, A.Ø. Slind, K. Simpson-Larsen
Time: 1:15:44.8
Silver – Sweden
E. Andersson, F. Karlsson, J. Sundling, L. Svahn
Time: 1:16:35.7
Bronze – Finland
J. Joensuu, J. Matintalo, K. Niskanen, V. Ryytty
Time: 1:16:59.5
Other Notable Finishes:
4. Germany – 1:17:20.8
5. United States – 1:17:37.0
6. Italy – 1:17:44.5
7. Switzerland – 1:18:02.1
8. Canada – 1:19:20.7
9. France – 1:20:28.6
10. Austria – 1:20:33.8
11. Czechia – 1:20:58.6
12. Poland – 1:21:21.6
13. Estonia – 1:21:46.2
14. Australia – 1:25:06.1
15–19: Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Latvia, Slovenia, China (LAP)
What This Means
Norway’s gold reinforces its depth in women’s relay competition, maintaining strong positioning in international cross-country standings. Sweden and Finland continue to demonstrate podium consistency in team events.
Time gaps between medal positions highlight competitive balance among Nordic nations, with mid-table teams closely grouped within a two-minute range.
What’s Next
Attention shifts to upcoming individual distance events and sprint competitions, where athletes from relay squads will return to individual formats. Team performance momentum may influence confidence heading into subsequent races.