Kristine Stavås Skistad, a leading Norwegian cross-country skier and the best female sprinter from Norway, has faced an early exit from the Milano Cortina Olympics. At 27 years old, Skistad struggled on the challenging Olympic course and finished in fifth place, marking this as her only event at the Games. Her previous accolades include winning a silver medal at last year's World Championships, but the expectations leading into the Olympics did not translate to success.

Norwegian television network TV2 reported on Friday that Skistad was sent home from the Olympics. The manager of the Norwegian cross-country ski team, Per Elias Kalfoss, did not clarify whether the decision to send her home was taken by Skistad herself or by the coaching staff. Kalfoss indicated that the coaches have the final say on competition decisions. He mentioned that when he spoke with Skistad before her departure, she appeared relieved, implying that returning home was preferable to waiting and not competing.

With Skistad's early exit, the composition of the Norwegian women's team sprint is now uncertain, as she was expected to be one of the two competitors. As the season progresses, her departure poses questions about the team's strategy moving forward, especially given that Skistad has had victories this season that showcased her capabilities. This unexpected decision will have impacts on the team's overall performance and morale at the Olympics.