Ben Ogden Makes History as Most Decorated American Male Cross-Country Skier
American cross-country skier Ben Ogden etched his name into the history books on Wednesday when he and teammate Gus Schumacher captured the silver medal in the men's team sprint event. This remarkable achievement solidifies Ogden's status as the most decorated American man in Olympic cross-country skiing, marking a significant milestone for the United States in a sport long dominated by Scandinavian athletes.
Ending a Half-Century Medal Drought
Earlier in the Games, Ogden had already broken a substantial barrier by snapping a 50-year medal drought for American men in cross-country skiing when he earned silver in the individual sprint competition. The last American man to stand on an Olympic podium in this demanding sport was Bill Koch, who secured silver in the men's 30 km event back in 1976.
In an interview with Vermont Public's "The Sports Rapport," Ogden reflected on his childhood connections to the legendary skier. Growing up in Vermont's Green Mountain State, Ogden recalled skiing at Koch's home as a young athlete, where the trailblazing American showed him his silver medal and other prestigious awards from his iconic career.
The Legendary Backyard Training Ground
Koch, who transformed his Vermont backyard into an elaborate terrain park over two decades ago when his son was young, created what he described to Outside magazine as a "skill-oriented" training environment "right from the get-go." The innovative course featured slopes that allowed skiers to "fly like 35 or 40 feet in the air" with downhill landings cushioned by soft snow.
This unique training facility helped develop the skills of multiple elite skiers, including Koch's now-24-year-old son Will and Ogden's NCAA champion older sister Katharine, both of whom went on to compete on the world stage. Ogden, who grew up near the Koch family, was a regular at the park alongside his two sisters, telling the magazine that these sessions were instrumental in developing his skiing proficiency.
A Legacy of Inspiration and Achievement
In a 14-year-old clip shared to his Instagram page last week, Ogden highlighted "one of so many backyard jump sessions" at Koch's home during what he called the "good old days" of his Vermont childhood. The skier told Vermont Public that Koch demonstrated that American men could achieve success in cross-country skiing despite the sport's Scandinavian dominance.
"Bill was a legend, and he taught us when we were young that, if we put our head to it, we can accomplish whatever we want, just the same way that he did," said Ogden of his fellow Vermont native. "And I'm really honored to get to be the one to take home the first for the men since him, but there will be more coming. I'm rather confident. So, Bill's work is only just starting to pay off."
The celebration between Team USA's Gus Schumacher and Ben Ogden following their free sprint competition in Tesero, Italy, on Wednesday represents not just a personal triumph but a breakthrough moment for American cross-country skiing. As Ogden continues to build on this legacy, his achievements signal a promising future for the sport in the United States.
