Norway’s Thea Louise Stjernesund etched her name into Olympic history today, securing her first-ever individual medal with a brilliant shared silver in the women’s Giant Slalom at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games.
The 29-year-old Norwegian technician delivered two flawless runs on the demanding Tofane course, posting identical times to Sweden’s Sara Hector in both legs for a combined 2:14.12—just 0.62 seconds behind dominant Italian gold medalist Federica Brignone (2:13.50). The extraordinary tie resulted in dual silver medals and no bronze awarded, capping a thrilling day of alpine action.
This breakthrough moment comes after Stjernesund’s previous Olympic success in the team format: she helped Norway claim bronze in the mixed team parallel event at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. That team bronze highlighted her versatility, but today’s individual podium marks a long-awaited personal milestone after years of consistent World Cup performances and near-misses.
Visibly emotional in the finish area, Stjernesund fought back tears of joy as the result sank in. In a touching show of respect and camaraderie, she and Hector knelt and bowed to Brignone, celebrating the Italian’s remarkable double-gold comeback while embracing their shared achievement. “It’s incredible… to share this with Sara and Federica—two athletes I admire so much,” Stjernesund said post-race, beaming through the emotion. “This is my first individual Olympic medal, and on this stage, it means everything.”
Stjernesund’s precision and composure shone throughout, building on strong pre-Games form in giant slalom. Her silver adds to Norway’s medal tally and underscores her rising status among the technical event specialists.
Fans and the alpine community erupted in congratulations, hailing the Norwegian’s perseverance and the heartwarming podium scene that captured the spirit of the Olympics.
A huge milestone for Thea—proof that dedication and passion lead to unforgettable moments on the biggest stage!
