Bromance is the key to Andrew Musgrave and James Clugnet's historic fifth-place finish at Milano Cortina 2026.
The duo crossed the line for GB's best-ever finish in an Olympic cross-country race in Wedneday's team sprint event, one-upping Musgrave's own sixth place from just days ago in the individual 10km free.
Finishing in a time of 18 minutes and 36.59 seconds, they were +7.61 back from gold but only 4.3 seconds off a medal, host nation Italy taking bronze.
It speaks volumes to the pair's teamwork over the years, with 29-year-old Clugnet following in the experienced Musgrave's footsteps ever since he first joined the British team at 16.
In the years since, they have formed a partnership on the slopes that can rival most.
"We managed to keep energy on the first few laps and then Muzzy [Musgrave] put me in a good position for the last lap and I felt really good," said Clugnet.
"It was really nice to be able to bring GB to their best-ever result.
"I'm really proud and it's really nice to do it with Muzzy, we've been together for quite a few years and it's nice to follow him."
Musgrave jumped in: "You've known me for a few years! I see more of you than my girlfriend! It's a bit of a bromance."
GB had qualified in 13th place for the final earlier that day but stepped it up in style during the final to challenge for the medals.
Five-time Olympian Musgrave kept them within touching distance of the top before handing over to Clugnet who ramped up the pace and pushed them to fifth place overall.
Musgrave admitted that the speed of the course was not quite suited to his liking, but with the two working together, it was a result they could only be happy with.
"It was a little bit different than we thought it was going to be because the sprint course is really hard in certain conditions but today's conditions were super fast and that made it a bit of a different race," said Musgrave.
"We were bunched up more and the fast sprinters managed to keep it up a little bit easier.
"For me, I think it would have been better if it was a little bit higher pace and spread out a little bit.
"I am old and my reaction times are a bit slower so moving fast people on corners is not my greatest strength."
Musgrave has recorded top 10 performances in all three of his races so far, with the most recent two outshining his previous best of seventh from PyeongChang 2018.
The 50km is still to come for the Scot, who is still chasing a maiden Olympic medal on the snow.
And while Clugnet had initially struggled on the courses in Italy, he was thrilled to finally deliver a performance that showcased the constantly improving strength of British cross-country.
"It is great to be able to show that we have a place in the relay," he added. "We were fifth in the world today.
"We have been developing every four years and this must be the best ever Olympic Games for Great Britain so it's good to show we can do well."
Sportsbeat 2026