Jessie Diggins, who enjoyed six laps in Holmenkollen last weekend, believes the 50km race is a milestone for the women but missed Therese Johaug.

American Jessie Diggins set out on the historic 50km race in Holmenkollen on Sunday morning with one goal: to enjoy the experience. And she did it in her unique way: by digging as deep as only Diggins can. 

“I am really proud of myself. This is so cool that all of us ladies got the opportunity to do this for the very first time. We really deserved this. I took the time to really enjoy and absorb the energy,” says the 32-year-old to Langrenn.com after third place in the first-ever women’s 50km race in the World Cup.

“I just wanted to do my very best and cross the finish line and know that I had given it my all. And I really did that today (Sunday),” she says. 

Diggins says she had cramps everywhere from her toes, knees, back, and arms.

“Every time the cramps came, I thought, ‘oh hello, nice to greet you again, but I know I can work through it.’ That’s kind of my relationship with pain. I can cope with it mentally,” she says. 

After 50km, half a second separated the winner, Ragnhild Haga, and Diggins in third place.

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“No one here had to be taken out by ambulance.”

Diggins hopes the 50km is here to stay but admits that this year it came at a demanding time on the schedule. 

“It is a tough period for us, but it is the same for the boys as well. It would have been nice to race that at the end of the season. It would perhaps be easier for some skiers to prioritize it if there was no risk that it would affect other races in the World Cup,” she says. 

In that context, however, Diggins points out that she prefers to focus on all those who participated, not those who chose not to start. 

“See how many people started and got the chance to ski 50 kilometers for the first time in history. It’s incredibly cool. It was so cool!” 

At the same time, Diggins pointed to the ones who feared that the 50km would be too harsh for the women. 

“Listen, no one here had to be taken off the track by ambulance. It is simply an insult if you look back at the history of skiing and the arguments for women not being allowed to go 30km once. So it’s great that we now get to race 50km. Those are the signals we need to send to young women: you can do this; you can do anything men can do. So thanks to FIS and everyone who voted for this,” she says. 

Missing Johaug

But there is one sliver in Diggins’ joy. She would like to share this milestone with traditional cross-country skiing queen Therese Johaug. 

“It is sad that Johaug did not get to experience this. I say that with all my heart. It hurts me that she and all the other women who trained so hard didn’t get the chance to race 50km in Holmenkollen.” 

Shared the experience with the family

Going to the World Cup in Norway is very special for Jessie Diggins. There, she started her first World Cup just before the World Championships in Holmenkollen in 2011. And this year, she got to share the Norwegian atmosphere and the historical ski race with her family.

“This would be extra special for them, to see the first 50km race for women and to experience the unique atmosphere, everyone partying along the course and cheering. And for me, getting a hug from them before the start was fantastic.”