Jessie Diggins - First US cross-country skier to claim Worlds

Jessie Diggins scripted history for the United States by winning the country's first-ever individual gold medal in World Championships' cross-country skiing in Planica, Slovenia.

An emotional Jessie Diggins after scripting history for the USA (Image Credits - Instagram/ @salomonnordic)
By Abhiruchi Rout | Mar 1, 2023 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Jessie Diggins scripted history for the United States by winning the country’s first-ever individual gold medal in cross-country skiing at the World Championships in Planica, Slovenia. The 10km freestyle event was a race against the clock, with skiers leaving at 30-second intervals. Diggins quickly established a three-second lead over Frida Karlsson within the first four minutes and maintained it at each split through 7.7 kilometers, making it a suspenseful race. In the final six minutes, Diggins put the hammer down and increased her lead to 14 seconds, crossing the finish line in triumph and collapsing onto the snow in exhaustion. Ebba Andersson of Sweden won the bronze medal.

This victory adds to Diggins’ already impressive collection of achievements. She holds the current US cross-country skiing record for Olympic medals, world championships medals, and individual World Cup wins. Diggins had a challenging season, having fallen ill with a 24-hour flu bug after traveling to Europe and struggling with her performance in the Tour de Ski. However, she continued to work hard and gradually regained her form, securing three podium finishes in her last five individual races before the world championships.

Diggins’ victory was significant not only for US cross-country skiing but also for women in sports. Women’s cross-country skiing has been traditionally dominated by Nordic countries, and Diggins’ win marks a significant breakthrough for female athletes in the US. She hopes that her success will inspire young girls to take up cross-country skiing and pursue their dreams in sport. Diggins’ next goal is to help the US secure their first medal in a relay. The US has finished fourth or fifth in the last five world championships. Diggins’ exceptional performance in the 10km freestyle event and growing confidence make her a strong contender for achieving this goal.

What Jessie Diggins said post her victory

A teary-eyed Jessie said, “That was so emotional, that was amazing. I’ve just got to say thank you to the team.” She further added, “That was one of the best races of my whole life and I knew I felt good and I was in a good shape, but you also have to have great skis and good wax. And I had everything I needed today. They worked so hard to make this possible, I’m just so happy.”

What the US coach, Matt Whitcomb, Had to say

The head coach for the US Cross Country Ski Team, Matt Whitcomb said, “It’s wonderful to have a monkey off your back, even for an athlete as decorated as Jessie.” “She probably couldn’t tell you all the stats about herself. All she can tell you is that you give her a course like this, and she knows she can at least be tied for the lead with regards to going the hardest. That’s really the attribute of Jessie that’s most admirable. She can just go out there and suffer,” he said to NRK, the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation.

Read more: World Sporting Calendar For the Year 2023