Norway’s Ragne Wiklund took to the ice at the Milano Speed Skating Arena on February 12, 2026, for the women’s 5000m at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, embracing the pressure of one of speed skating’s most punishing distances. Skating with trademark focus and smooth technique, Wiklund settled quickly into her rhythm, her long strides carving clean arcs into the pristine Olympic ice in Milan.
The 5000m demands both tactical discipline and physical resilience, and Wiklund demonstrated both as she built her race lap by lap. Known for her endurance and negative-split capabilities, the Norwegian carefully measured her early pace before increasing her tempo in the latter stages. Her consistency through the middle kilometers kept her competitive against a stacked international field.
Inside the Milano Speed Skating Arena, the atmosphere was electric as fans watched the staggered pairings unfold. Wiklund’s lap times remained remarkably steady, reflecting months of meticulous preparation. Each crossing of the line was met with anticipation, the crowd tracking the time splits that flashed across the scoreboard as she pushed through fatigue in the final laps.
Wiklund’s Olympic appearance in Milan underscored her status as one of Norway’s leading long-distance specialists. Having previously earned global accolades in distance events, she brought valuable championship experience to the Olympic oval. Her powerful closing laps highlighted both her stamina and her ability to deliver under the spotlight of the Games.
As the race concluded, Wiklund left the ice to appreciative applause, embodying the grit and composure required for the 5000m. Regardless of the final standings, her performance at Milano Cortina 2026 reinforced her reputation as a formidable presence in women’s long-track speed skating and added another proud chapter to Norway’s storied Olympic legacy.
