On day 13 of the Winter Olympics 2026 in Milano Cortina, Switzerland’s Marianne Fatton achieved a historic milestone by winning the first Olympic gold medal in ski mountaineering. This new addition to the Winter Games showcases the growing diversity of winter sports and highlights the competitive spirit that athletes bring to the Olympics. The event marks a significant accomplishment for Ski Mountaineering as it gains international recognition via the Olympic platform.

For Australia, this day saw mixed fortunes for their debut ski mountaineering athletes. Lara Hamilton and Phillip Bellingham made their Olympic debuts, with Bellingham successfully advancing to the semifinals after a strong performance in the men's sprint heats. However, Hamilton finished sixth in her women’s heat and did not qualify for the finals. Australia's youngest competitor, Indra Brown, also faced challenges in her qualifying round in the women’s freeski halfpipe due to the rough weather conditions, leading to a postponement of some events and affecting the overall performance of the team.

The live updates from the event create a sense of urgency and excitement for fans following the progress of their national athletes amid the unpredictable weather. The inclusion of new sports like ski mountaineering adds to the narrative of innovation in the Olympics, while also emphasizing the at-times harsh conditions athletes must contend with, further enriching the experience for spectators and participants alike.