Jessie Diggins' Olympics End with a Bittersweet Finish
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina marked the end of an era for American cross-country skiing star Jessie Diggins. Despite crashing early in her favorite event, the skiathlon, she managed to fight back and finish eighth, securing the top spot among US athletes.
Diggins, who has been ranked as the world's number one cross-country skier, had high hopes for gold but was dealt a setback when Finland's Vilma Nissinen fell on a downhill turn during the opening lap of the classical section. In the chaos that followed, Diggins tumbled with Norway's Karoline Simpson-Larsen and found herself in heavy traffic.
However, it was not just bad luck that plagued Diggins; her own mistakes also played a role in her early struggles. She admitted that her tip disappeared in the slush on the downhill section of the course, leaving her with limited momentum. The classic part of the race saw her slip to 14th place, far behind the leaders.
Diggins' chances of reeling back were further diminished by the relentless pace of the Swedish team, led by Frida Karlsson and Ebba Andersson. However, she produced a trademark comeback in freestyle skiing, where she is at her strongest. Her efforts saw her claw back positions to finish eighth, 2 minutes and 21 seconds behind Karlsson.
Karlsson's victory marked her first individual Olympic medal after winning a relay bronze at the Beijing Olympics. The Swedish skier executed flawless ski exchanges and steadily distanced the field, clocking 53:45 minutes for the gold. "I had so much fun out there today and I am really proud of my whole team," Karlsson said.
For Diggins, it was an emotional end to her Olympic career, with a historic event that saw women competing on equal terms with men in the skiathlon. The 34-year-old has announced she will retire after this season's World Cup, leaving behind a legacy that has recalibrated expectations for American cross-country skiing.
"I'm really proud of my heart and grit," Diggins said, reflecting on her performance. "There's a lot of things out of my control, but I'm encouraged by the freestyle half." Despite finishing outside the top three, Diggins secured the top spot among US athletes, serving as an early reminder of the resilience that has defined her career.
With further chances to add to her career haul before bringing her career to a close at the World Cup finals in Lake Placid next month, Diggins will always be remembered for her unwavering dedication and unrelenting spirit.
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina marked the end of an era for American cross-country skiing star Jessie Diggins. Despite crashing early in her favorite event, the skiathlon, she managed to fight back and finish eighth, securing the top spot among US athletes.
Diggins, who has been ranked as the world's number one cross-country skier, had high hopes for gold but was dealt a setback when Finland's Vilma Nissinen fell on a downhill turn during the opening lap of the classical section. In the chaos that followed, Diggins tumbled with Norway's Karoline Simpson-Larsen and found herself in heavy traffic.
However, it was not just bad luck that plagued Diggins; her own mistakes also played a role in her early struggles. She admitted that her tip disappeared in the slush on the downhill section of the course, leaving her with limited momentum. The classic part of the race saw her slip to 14th place, far behind the leaders.
Diggins' chances of reeling back were further diminished by the relentless pace of the Swedish team, led by Frida Karlsson and Ebba Andersson. However, she produced a trademark comeback in freestyle skiing, where she is at her strongest. Her efforts saw her claw back positions to finish eighth, 2 minutes and 21 seconds behind Karlsson.
Karlsson's victory marked her first individual Olympic medal after winning a relay bronze at the Beijing Olympics. The Swedish skier executed flawless ski exchanges and steadily distanced the field, clocking 53:45 minutes for the gold. "I had so much fun out there today and I am really proud of my whole team," Karlsson said.
For Diggins, it was an emotional end to her Olympic career, with a historic event that saw women competing on equal terms with men in the skiathlon. The 34-year-old has announced she will retire after this season's World Cup, leaving behind a legacy that has recalibrated expectations for American cross-country skiing.
"I'm really proud of my heart and grit," Diggins said, reflecting on her performance. "There's a lot of things out of my control, but I'm encouraged by the freestyle half." Despite finishing outside the top three, Diggins secured the top spot among US athletes, serving as an early reminder of the resilience that has defined her career.
With further chances to add to her career haul before bringing her career to a close at the World Cup finals in Lake Placid next month, Diggins will always be remembered for her unwavering dedication and unrelenting spirit.
. I mean, who doesn't love an underdog story? It's like, you're down, but then BAM! You come back swinging 
. I feel bad for her that the tip of her pole went MIA in those slippery conditions... that's just cruel 
. But hey, a 2 minute and 21 second gap isn't so bad for eighth place? Still, gotta give it up to Frida Karlsson, she was on point 
! Not sure what I'll be watching on the World Cup circuit now, but I know Diggins will leave us with some epic moments before she hangs up her skis 
.
, but i gotta give it to her - she's been on a wild ride from 1st to almost last place 
, but that come back in freestyle skiing was EVERYTHING 
... karlsson's gold is well deserved 
, but i'm still rooting for jessie diggins' legacy 
. She's had such an incredible career and has been a huge inspiration to many American athletes, especially women in sports. I mean, 8th place isn't bad at all, and finishing top of the US medal table is still super impressive! But it’s also bittersweet because you know she wanted more 
. Still, I'm sure she'll always look back on this Olympics with pride and knowing she went out on a high note is all anyone can ask for 
. I'm gonna miss watching her compete, she's definitely left an indelible mark on the sport
. She's been on top of cross-country skiing for ages and it's a shame she went out with a bittersweet finish 
!
. I KNOW SHE'LL MISS COMPETING, BUT WE CAN ALL TAKE A PAGE OUT OF HER BOOK AND KEEP PUSHING OURSELVES TO NEW HEIGHTS 
. It's all about heart and grit, right? I love how she stayed positive & focused on the things that brought her joy - freestyle skiing 
and I'm thinking of trying it out later. They have a menu that's like a mix of all different cuisines which sounds kinda cool to me... anyway, back to Jessie Diggins 
. & 1st place Vilma Nissinen just fell on her own turn lol! 
. still a bit bummed 4 her, she was goin 4 the gold 
can't wait to see what's next for her 
). Still, can't help but wonder what could've been if she hadn't crashed in that skiathlon...
and proved we can compete w/ the best even if she didn't bring home the gold her 8th place finish is still somethin 2 be proud of especially for a country girl who's always given it her all 
. Diggins' comeback in freestyle skiing is awesome, but it's not like she won the whole thing, you feel me? 
Still, kudos to her for being so proud of herself and her team - that's what matters most 
. And let's be real, she'll always be remembered as a trailblazer in cross-country skiing, paving the way for future generations 
.
. I know it's all part of the game, but still... 8th place is nothing to sneeze at though! Her heart and grit are what really matter 
. Anyway, she'll always have a special place in the hearts of fans everywhere 
. I hope she knows how much we appreciate her dedication and spirit - she's leaving behind an amazing legacy for American cross-country skiing 
2 mins 21 secs is just heartbreaking she clawed back to 8th place in freestyle skiing which is still an amazing comeback but what if she woulda had gold 
what can we say but she left an indelible mark on cross-country skiing
, and she also had some mistakes of her own during the event