Jessie Diggins, America’s most successful cross country skier, raced for the final time this weekend, wrapping up her career in Lake Placid, New York.
A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:
The most decorated cross-country skier in American history is now retired. Jessie Diggins closed out her career this weekend at the World Cup finals in Lake Placid, New York. Here’s North Country Public Radio’s Emily Russell.
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UNIDENTIFIED ANNOUNCER #1: Making noise…
EMILY RUSSELL, BYLINE: Imagine that thousands of people have come to your retirement party. That’s kind of what it feels like at the Mt. Van Hoevenberg Olympic ski trails in Lake Placid.
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UNIDENTIFIED ANNOUNCER #2: Can all you please…
ALICE: Jessie.
UNIDENTIFIED ANNOUNCER #2: …Make some noise.
FOSTER SANDZEN: Yay.
RUSSELL: Six-year-old Foster Sandzen (ph) is here with her mom, Alice (ph). They drove five hours from Maine just to see American skier Jessie Diggins compete one last time at the World Cup finals. Foster is a big fan.
FOSTER: I think she’s a really good skier, and she never gives up what she’s going to do.
RUSSELL: Diggins is 34. She grew up skiing in Minnesota, turning professional when she was 18 years old. At that time, Kikkan Randall was the best skier in the country. Randall became, like, a big sister to Diggins, and remembers her early days.
KIKKAN RANDALL: A lot of energy, a lot of sparkles. But you could just see over time she just developed her technique, her confidence.
RUSSELL: That technique and confidence helped her and Randall make history at the 2018 Olympics. Diggins came from behind in the team sprint to win gold. It was the first Olympic gold for any American cross-country skier.
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RUSSELL: At her final races here in Lake Placid, Diggins looks relaxed and happy.
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UNIDENTIFIED ANNOUNCER #3: She is one of the strongest athletes to ever put on a pair of skis.
RUSSELL: Heidi Lange leads the New England Nordic Ski Association.
HEIDI LANGE: Our sport has been growing in the United States over the last few decades, and I think that the level of success and the amount of visibility that she has achieved has brought the sport to more people.
RUSSELL: Over her four Olympic Games, Diggins won four medals. She’s also a four-time overall World Cup champion, including for this season. At a press conference ahead of this weekend’s races, Diggins reflected on her 16-year career.
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JESSIE DIGGINS: I’m really proud of the things that I’ve done in a race bib and with skis on my feet, but I am more proud of the things I have done off the course.
RUSSELL: Like her climate advocacy. Diggins has also been really outspoken about mental health and how she struggled with an eating disorder.
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DIGGINS: It can be really hard to ask for help when you need it. And so I feel like my purpose in life is to make those conversations a little more accessible for people.
RUSSELL: Diggins also helped bring World Cup races back to the U.S. in 2024 in Minnesota. The success of that event paved the way for the American debut of the World Cup Finals here in Lake Placid.
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON #1: USA. Get it. Go, go, go.
RUSSELL: Another mark Diggins will leave on the sport comes in the form of glitter. It’s part of her signature race day look and serves as a reminder that skiing is fun. So many fans here have glittery cheeks, including 10-year-old Ella Bard (ph) from Saranac Lake.
SARA BARD: One day, I want to be in the Olympics. When I see Jessie, she, like, makes me want to be like her.
RUSSELL: Be the best in the world?
SARA: Yeah.
RUSSELL: And wear a lot of glitter?
SARA: Yeah.
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON #2: Yeah, Jess.
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON #1: Yeah, Jessie.
RUSSELL: As she crossed the finish line for one last time, coming in 12th, Diggins threw her hands up in the air. Skiers from her own team and others came over for hugs. She didn’t podium in any of the weekend’s races, but still finished as the overall World Cup champion this season. Just like any great retirement party, the crowd cheered her on for her final send-off.
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UNIDENTIFIED CROWD: (Chanting) Jessie, Jessie, Jessie, Jessie.
RUSSELL: For NPR News, I’m Emily Russell in Lake Placid, New York.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “FLY ON THE WALL”)
THE BEATLES: (Singing) Well, can you dig it?
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