On February 13, Lithuanian athletes will participate in the 10 km freestyle skiing event at the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina. Among the competitors, Tautvydas Strolia and Modestas Vaičiulis will represent Lithuania, set to start at 12:45 PM local time. Strolia will commence his race at 1:29 PM, followed by Vaičiulis at 1:34 PM. Both athletes will contend in one of the most popular Olympic cross-country skiing competitions, featuring a total of 113 competitors.

During the men’s 10 km event, biathlon competitors face additional challenges, as every missed shot incurs a 150-meter penalty loop, which can significantly impact their race time. Earlier in the week, Lithuanian female skiers Ieva Dainytė and Eglės Savickaitė competed on the same course, finishing 79th and 91st, respectively. Their preparation highlighted the varying track conditions, with organizers addressing warm daytime temperatures melting the snow by applying salt to maintain the course’s integrity overnight.

Both competitors confirmed that the course's steep and winding downhill sections have become particularly treacherous due to icy spots. This adds an element of danger to the races, as athletes must navigate the challenging terrain, illustrating the unpredictable nature of outdoor winter sports. Such events set the stage for high-stakes competition as Lithuanian athletes strive to perform amidst tough conditions.