Alessandro Hämmerle of Austria celebrated a thrilling victory on Thursday, securing back-to-back gold medals in the Snowboard Men’s Cross Final at the Livigno Snow Park during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. This historic win places Hämmerle among the elite group of athletes who have achieved consecutive wins in the event, previously established by American Seth Wescott and Frenchman Pierre Vaultier.
In a nail-biting finish, Hämmerle edged out Canada’s Eliot Grondin and fellow Austrian Jakob Dusek. Despite trailing for the majority of the race, Hämmerle showcased remarkable determination, crossing the finish line just three hundredths of a second ahead of Grondin, the reigning world champion.
“Unbelievable. I’m not sure how I made it. It was so tight all the time, but it was great racing with Eliot once again,” expressed Hämmerle after the victory. Reflecting on his journey to the podium, he shared, “The big final was a big, big fight. I’m happy to come out on top. I got sick on Sunday and thought, ‘Please, it can’t be, all this work for nothing.’ I don’t know how I did it, but I’ve got this thing around my neck and I’m very grateful.”
Snowboard cross made its Olympic debut in 2006, and Hämmerle’s victory adds to the rich history of the sport. Although elated with his achievements, Hämmerle indicated that he is unlikely to pursue a third consecutive Olympic title, stating, “Next year there’s the home world championships, and that will probably be my last race.” He expressed a sense of bittersweet reflection on his career, acknowledging the emerging talent in the sport while embracing the next chapter of his life.
With his sights set on future endeavors, Hämmerle concluded, “It kind of feels sad at the moment, but I’m so happy to leave this stage like that. The young generation is pushing, and I think I’ll find something else to do and have fun.”