Jessie Diggins lands USA’s first-ever individual cross-country skiing world title
The PyeongChang 2018 team sprint Olympic champion secured victory in Planica, Slovenia, by 14 seconds to continue her record-breaking feats for the United States.
Cross-Country Skiing
Jessie Diggins created history by winning the United States’ first-ever individual cross-country skiing world title on Tuesday (28 February).
The three-time Olympic medallist, who won team sprint Olympic gold at PyeongChang 2018 alongside Kikkan Randall, took the 10km freestyle crown at Planica, Slovenia.
Diggins put on a masterclass in the interval start race, finishing 14 seconds faster than silver medallist Swede Frida Karlsson, while another Swede in Ebba Andersson took the bronze medal.
"That was so emotional, that was so amazing," Diggins said through tears of happiness after.
"That was one of the best races of my whole life.
"I couldn't really feel my legs at the end but that's normal for me. I was just trying to push as hard as I could, I was so happy about the snow because it helped me really work the corners and it was the perfect course for me."
The Minnesota native's previous world title came in 2013 with victory in the team sprint alongside Randall, but this latest win means that she now stands alone as the only USA athlete with two cross-country skiing world championships titles.
Diggins won individual Olympic silver and bronze medals at Beijing 2022, and extended her national record with a record sixth world championships medal overall.