“It’s a great way to calm down”: Ben Ogden reveals how knitting helped him win historic Olympic cross country silver

Ben Ogden did something no American man has done in half a century. On Tuesday afternoon in Val di Fiemme, the 25 year old from Vermont won Olympic silver in the men’s sprint classic.

That one race ended a 50 year medal drought for US men in Olympic cross country skiing. Ben Ogden finished just under one second behind Norway’s superstar Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, who took gold. The result instantly became one of the biggest moments in American skiing history.After the race, Ben Ogden did not talk about pressure or fear. Instead, he talked about calm. He said knitting helps him slow his mind and stay steady during big moments.

While the world watched him race, Ogden said his knitting needles were waiting for him back at the village. This silver medal also continued a strong Olympic showing for the United States at the Milan Cortina Games and changed how people now see the US men’s team.

Ben Ogden’s Olympic sprint silver puts United States men back on the podium after 1976

Ben Ogden crossed the line in 3 minutes 40.61 seconds, using a strong final push that has become his style. Klæbo won in 3:39.74, earning the seventh Olympic gold of his career.

Norway’s Oskar Opstad Vike claimed bronze after a long climb through the rounds.After the race, Ogden said, “It’s an unbelievable dream come true. Everybody who races dreams of standing on an Olympic podium. I thought about getting better every day, and today it worked.”This medal made Ben Ogden only the second American man ever to win an Olympic cross country skiing medal. The first was Bill Koch, who won silver in 1976.Ogden’s path started at home. His father coached local ski programs in Vermont. Winters meant skiing every day, not chasing results. Coaches say that relaxed start helped shape how Ogden races today.At the Games, Ben Ogden was strong from the morning rounds. He qualified second fastest, won his quarterfinal, then reached the final as a lucky loser after finishing just behind Klæbo in the semifinal.Away from racing, Ben Ogden is known for knitting. He says it helps him relax during long travel weeks. “It’s a great way to calm down,” Ogden said. “After today, my knitting needles are probably waiting for me.”His medal is also a sign of growth for US men’s skiing. Along with younger teammates, expectations have changed. The team is no longer racing just to keep up but they are racing to win.