Norwegian cross-country skier Vilde Nilsen wins silver in 20km freestyle at Paralympics

Norwegian para-nordic skier Vilde Nilsen secured her fourth medal in as many events at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympics, claiming silver in the women’s 20km freestyle cross-country race on Sunday.

American Sydney Peterson took gold, finishing 1 minute and 13 seconds ahead of Nilsen. Peterson, who won the 10km classical event earlier in the Games, competed with a single pole due to limited arm mobility. “I don’t have enough movement in my arm to sustain double-poling in skating technique. I can only lift my arm so high, so I wouldn’t have had any power,” Peterson told Norwegian broadcaster NRK.

Nilsen’s silver came after a tight battle with Ukraine’s Oleksandra Kononova, with the Norwegian prevailing by just 3.7 seconds. The result marks Nilsen’s seventh career Paralympic medal and completes her Milano Cortina campaign with one gold (sprint), two silvers (10km and 20km), and one bronze (open relay).

“She’s medaled in every event she’s entered. That’s an incredible achievement,” said Kjartan Haugen, Nilsen’s teammate in the relay, to NRK.

The 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Milano and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, conclude today after 10 days of competition.