February 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\nThe 30-year-old found himself in 31st position just past the 10km marker but improved from there and sat 25th as the race hit the halfway point.<\/p>\n
Maloney Westgaard moved into 23rd around the 37km mark, and he was able to hold onto that position until the finish.<\/p>\n
Maloney Westgaard had previously finished 35th in the men’s 10km + 10km skiathlon and 54th in the men’s 10km freestyle cross-country \u2060ski race.<\/p>\n
Speaking afterwards. the skier with Galway roots made no bones about how tough it was, saying: “That was brutal, full suffering out there. I mean, the speed was all out from the start. It was, again, a ridiculous pace. It felt like we were only doing 10K. It was like a 10K pace, but it seemed like the front trio kept it for like 50, there was no rest and we were falling like flies there at the end. It’s how it should be.”<\/p>\n
With this being his preferred event, and one where he has achieved significant results over the past number of years, due to various conditions, the three-time Olympian finally managed to compete in the full 50km distance at the Olympic Games today, a feat that is all the sweeter, considering a poor run of form over the past number of months.<\/p>\n
“It’s my first Olympic 50K, I was sick in Pyeongchang, and it was reduced to 30K in Beijing due to the cold. So finally I got to suffer for real, and yeah, I’ll take this result. It’s been a tough season. I came to the Olympics doubting a bit about where I was. So yeah, it\u2019s my next best Olympic results ever.<\/p>\n
“Before the season I was struggling and I was very sceptical. I struggled a lot with my shape. A month ago I didn’t train at all, and I had to let all the guys go after one minute into the interval. So, it’s good to take this. I’ve for sure dreamed a bit more before the season, but getting here with so many doubts and uncertainties, I’m happy with this.”<\/p>\n
He is the last Irish athlete to compete at the Games, with the closing ceremony to take place on Sunday with coverage on the RT\u00c9 Player from 6.45pm.<\/p>\n