Patricija Eiduka 11th in Cross-Country Skiing at Milan-Cortina Olympics | Latvia Results

Riga welcomed home its Olympic biathletes and cross-country skiers today, marking the conclude of their competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. A small group of supporters, family members, and representatives from the Latvian Olympic Committee (LOK) greeted the athletes upon their arrival at Riga Airport.

The Latvian team’s performance at the Games was highlighted by Patrīcija Eiduka, who achieved the best result in Latvian cross-country skiing history with an 11th-place finish in the 50-kilometer classic style race. This result marks a significant milestone for Latvian winter sports, demonstrating the growing strength of the nation’s athletes on the international stage. The historic race was won by Sweden’s Ebba Anderssone, completing the distance in 2 hours, 16 minutes, and 28.2 seconds, according to reports from Jauns.lv.

Eiduka’s impressive Olympic showing didn’t stop there. She as well secured a 15th-place finish in the 10-kilometer free style race and a 23rd-place finish in the 20-kilometer skiathlon. The 50km distance was the longest ever contested in women’s Olympic cross-country skiing, exceeding the previous maximum of 30 kilometers.

Raimo Vīgants also contributed to the Latvian team’s efforts, finishing 31st in the 50-kilometer distance in Valdifiemme. He also achieved a 51st-place finish in the skiathlon, 52nd in the sprint, and 46th in the 10-kilometer free style race.

The Latvian delegation in Milan-Cortina also included Kitija Auziņa, Linda Kaparkalēja, Samanta Krampe, Lauris Kaparkalējs, and Niks Saulītis, all of whom represented the country with pride throughout the Games. Sporta Zinas reported that Latvia secured two medals at the Games: a silver in luge, won by Elīna Ieva Bota, and a bronze in short track, claimed by Roberts Krūzbergs.

The conclusion of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics also marked the end of a winter sports festival, with the Latvian flag carried during the closing ceremony by Patrīcija Eiduka and short track speed skater Roberts Krūzbergs, as reported by Sporta Zinas. The flag was then passed on to representatives from the French Alps region, the host of the 2030 Winter Olympics.

Latvia sent its largest-ever delegation to a Winter Olympics this year, with 68 athletes, though 63 ultimately competed. The Games were not without controversy, although, as the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) disqualification of Ukrainian biathlete Vladyslav Heraskevych drew criticism.

Looking ahead, Latvian athletes will now turn their attention to preparing for future competitions and building on the successes achieved at the Milan-Cortina Games. The focus will be on continued development and striving for even greater results on the world stage.

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