Diggins Fights To Fifth Place Finish in Women's 50k Classic
Team USA's Jessie Diggins earned a hard fought fifth place in the women's 50k classic. Following a tough start, the four-time Olympic medalist showed immense determination and stamina to earn her way back into the top group fighting for the podium until the very last sprint.
The race by Diggins was nothing short of impressive. After running into trouble early and battling back from a fall following a ski change, the American once again proved why she has been instrumental in solidifying U.S. women’s cross country skiing on the international map. The veteran can close out her Olympic career knowing she left everything on the course and made her country proud.
""If you had told me even a year ago I'd be in the fight for a bonze medal in a 50k classic, I would not have believed you," said Diggins. "It's taken so much work from so many people for so many years to get here and I'm just really proud of it."
Sweden's Ebba Andersson won the gold medal with command, beating all other athletes by over two minutes and finishing with a time of two hours, 16 minutes and 28.2 seconds. The gold was redemption after blaming herself when a couple of falls in the team mixed relay kept the Swedish team from taking home the gold.
Heidi Weng of Norway won the silver medal with a time of two hours, 18 minutes and 43.5 seconds and rounding out the podium, winning a bronze medal in a race that came down to the end was Swiss skier Nadja Kaelin who cemented her spot on the podium with an impressive push on the final climb of the race.
Team USA's Rosie Brennan earned a top 20 finish, coming across the line in 16th place with teammate Hailey Swirbul just behind in 20th. Kendall Kramer came in 27th putting all U.S. women within the top 30.
"It's so cool that they (my team) were here for my last Olympics and I got to end it on a beautiful day at a venue that I love so much," said Diggins. "I'm just really proud of the last Olympics and really grateful and really happy. I'm leaving here just full of joy and probably needing a new body."
The tight fought race and strong showing from the U.S. women was a perfect way to close out the 2026 Olympic Winter Games for Team USA.
RESULTS
