(Photo: St. Lawrence U Athletics)
TESERO, Italy — March 14, 2026 — In a display of collective strength and speed, Sydney Peterson (Lake Elmo, MN) anchored the United States to a gold medal in the 4 x 2.5km mixed relay today. Joining forces with teammates Oksana Masters, Jake Adicoff, and Joshua Sweeney, Peterson took the final leg of the race with a narrow lead over the Chinese and Ukrainian teams.
Under immense pressure, Peterson showcased her endurance, pulling away on the final uphill stretch to secure the gold for Team USA by a margin of 12 seconds. The win successfully defended the U.S. title in this event and marked Peterson’s second gold medal of the Milano Cortina Games. The relay is often considered the most prestigious event in Para Nordic skiing because it requires a perfect balance of sitting and standing athletes working in total synchronization.
Inside the Sport: In the mixed relay, teams must include athletes with different classifications (standing, sitting, or visually impaired). Because the different classes start at different times or have “factored” times, the lead can shift dramatically between legs, making the anchor leg—Peterson’s role—the most high-pressure position on the team.