Jessie Diggins Faces Setback in Olympic Skiathlon but Eyes Future Events

A dramatic opening day marred Team USA’s aspirations for a medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Star cross-country skier Jessie Diggins, a three-time Olympic medalist, stumbled during the women’s skiathlon, finishing in eighth place.

A Disappointing Start for Team USA

Diggins was widely regarded as a strong contender for a medal as she embarked on the six-lap skiathlon. Unfortunately, an early mishap dashed her hopes:

• Big Crash: Diggins faced a significant crash on the first lap, causing her to lose precious time in a tightly contested race.
• Final Standing: Despite her determination, she ended the event in eighth place, trailing behind the podium finishers.

Medalists in the Women’s Skiathlon

The gold and silver medals were won by Frida Karlsson and Ebba Andersson of Sweden, with Norway’s Heidi Weng taking home the bronze.

Jessie Diggins of Team USA reacts after crossing the finish line in the skiathlon at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Tesero, Italy. (AP)

Diggins’ Performance Reflections

Post-race, Diggins expressed her mixed emotions, stating, "I’m really proud of my skating portion of the run, but things didn’t come together. I had a really big crash on the first lap, that didn’t help."

Race Details

• Starting Position: Diggins began the race strong in the first position.
• Traffic Jam: The crash occurred due to a jam on a downhill section, affecting multiple racers, including Diggins, who struggled to regain her pace.

Looking Ahead: Next Opportunities for Medal in Cross-Country Skiing

Diggins will have another opportunity to compete for a medal in the women’s cross-country skiing sprint classic event on Tuesday. This event holds nostalgic significance for the athlete, as she captured a bronze medal in the same discipline during the 2022 Beijing Games, becoming the first American to medal in an individual sprint.

Previous Olympic Highlights

• 2018 Pyeongchang Games: Gold medal in team sprint alongside Kikkan Randall, marking Team USA’s first Olympic gold in that category.
• 2022 Beijing Games: Silver medal in the 30km freestyle.

Upcoming Events for Team USA

Excitement continues as Team USA looks forward to other medal opportunities on Saturday, specifically in:

• Women’s Ski Jumping Normal Hill at 11:45 a.m.
• Men’s Snowboard Big Air at 1:30 p.m.

For more information on Olympic events and schedules, you can visit the official Olympic website.

As the 2026 Winter Olympics unfold, all eyes remain on Jessie Diggins, whose resilient spirit and previous achievements position her as a strong candidate for future success.