Ben Ogden Becomes First New Englander to Medal at 2026 Winter Olympics

As of early Tuesday, February 10, Team USA was in sixth place for medals earned for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

And one of those medals was won by a New Englander, Ben Ogden.

CBS News reported that Ogden made history by breaking a 50-year drought, becoming the first American man to medal in cross-country skiing since 1976. Let's go!

Ben Ogden of Landgrove, Vermont, Wins Cross-Country Skiing Silver Medal

The last time an American earned a medal in cross-country skiing at the winter Olympics was back in 1976. According to The New York Times, that award was given to Bill Koch of Vermont.

Seems fitting that fellow New Englander and Vermonter Ogden would score a silver medal all these years later.

“It’s an unbelievable dream come true,” Ogden said, per the New York Times. “Everybody who races dreams of being on an Olympic podium. It’s the ultimate goal, and I feel like this last year, I’ve dared to set my expectations on an Olympic podium.”

Sevendaysvt.com reported that Ogden finished only 0.87 seconds behind Johannes Klaebo in the men’s sprint classic.

You can watch his race on YouTube here if you missed it.

In the video, you can see how both exhausted and elated he is at the second-place finish, even carrying the American flag in triumph after the historic accomplishment.

And to top it off? He did a fun victory backflip off the podium.

Not a bad Olympics experience, right?

READ MORE: Cheer on These 30 New Englanders Competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics

“I used to do that in high school on podiums,” he said, per 3 Wire Sports. “I told myself, if I ever get on an Olympic podium, I’ll do it. It felt a little showboat-y in the moment. But sometimes in life you just have to satisfy your 15-year-old self.”

Ogden's hard work paid off on the world’s biggest stage, so kudos to him.

The Winter Olympics aren't done yet, and there are numerous other New Englanders competing for the top spots in the games.

Here we go, Team USA!