Federico Pellegrino: A Legacy of Sprint Excellence and Olympic Bronze

Federico Pellegrino, born September 1, 1990, in Aosta, Italy, is a celebrated Italian cross-country skier specializing in sprint events. He has established himself as a dominant force in the sport, achieving both World Championship and Olympic success, and continues to compete at the highest level.

Early Career and World Cup Breakthrough

Pellegrino began his World Cup journey in the 2009–10 season. He quickly distinguished himself as a specialist in sprint disciplines, culminating in winning the Sprint Cup in the 2015–16 season. This victory marked a historic moment, as he became the first non-Scandinavian athlete to claim the Sprint World Cup title. As of November 30, 2018, he had secured 12 individual World Cup victories, all in sprint events, setting a record for the most individual wins by an Italian in the Cross-Country World Cup. [1]

Olympic and World Championship Success

Pellegrino’s accolades include two Olympic silver medals in the individual sprint event, achieved at the 2018 Pyeongchang and 2022 Beijing Games. [1] He is likewise a World Champion in the individual sprint, with titles secured at the 2017 Lahti World Championships and the 2019 Seefeld World Championships. He has also earned World Championship medals in the team sprint event, winning in Lahti (2017), Seefeld (2019), Planica (2023) and Falun (2015). [1]

Recent Achievements: 2026 Olympic Relay Bronze

At the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina, Pellegrino contributed to a historic bronze medal win for Italy in the men’s 4 x 7.5 km relay. The Italian team, comprised of Davide Graz, Elia Barp, Martino Carollo, and Pellegrino, revived Italy’s relay legacy, twenty years after their gold medal victory at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Pragelato. [2] Pellegrino’s final leg saw him overcome a ten-second deficit to Finland, overtaking Niko Anttola in a thrilling sprint finish to secure the bronze. [4]

Continued Competition and Future Outlook

As of February 10, 2026, Pellegrino continues to compete at the highest level, seeking further success in his career. [3] He represents the G.S. Fiamme Oro club. [1]

Key Takeaways

• Federico Pellegrino is a highly decorated Italian cross-country skier specializing in sprint events.
• He is the first non-Scandinavian to win the Sprint World Cup (2015-16).
• Pellegrino has earned Olympic silver medals (2018, 2022) and World Championship titles in both individual and team sprint events.
• He recently contributed to Italy’s bronze medal win in the 4 x 7.5 km relay at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.