In the past winter season, the American cross-country skiing star made history by clinching the USA’s very first gold medal at the World Championships. The upcoming winter holds another special event that she looks forward to: the 50th edition of the American Birkie.

Jessie Diggins, the reigning 10km World Champion from Planica, is gearing up for the American Birkebeiner in the upcoming winter season. The American Birkebeiner, a grueling 50km long-distance race, is a prominent race in the Ski Classics Challengers series in North America. The racecourse stretches from Cable to Hayward in the picturesque state of Wisconsin, promising a challenging yet thrilling journey for the participants. 

In a recent announcement on her Instagram account, Jessie Diggins couldn’t contain her enthusiasm, saying:

“Been waiting a while to share this, and I’m super excited to announce that I’m going to FINALLY get to experience the most iconic race in the U.S. .… and do the American Birkie next winter! The stars aligned with my race schedule for the first time since I turned 18 years old,” says Diggins on her Instagram account and added:

“I’m so pumped to do this race that I’ve watched my parents do and been involved with my whole life. I’m a newbie to the @americanbirkebeiner soooo… please share your best tips and stories with me! I want it all!” 

Taste for the long-distance

For Diggins, this event represents not only a personal milestone but also a chance to showcase her passion for long-distance skiing. In the previous winter season, she displayed her endurance and skill by securing third place in the women’s 50km race at Holmenkollen in Norway. This race marked the first-ever 50km race for women in the World Cup, and remarked, “I have been waiting my entire career for this race.” 

Read More – Jessie Diggins about the Holmenkollen 50km: “I have been waiting my entire career for this race.”

With two World Cup stages scheduled to take place in North America just before the American Birkebeiner, expectations are high that this upcoming winter’s starting field will be nothing short of a World Cup-caliber competition. 

Jessie Diggins’ participation in the 50th edition of the American Birkebeiner promises to be a highlight of the upcoming season, and fans are eagerly awaiting her performance at this iconic Ski Classics Challengers event.

Read more about American Birkebeiner below.

Jessie Diggins – The American Cross-Country Skiing Star

Jessie Diggins is an American cross-country skier who gained international recognition for her impressive performances in the sport. 

She was born on August 26, 1991, in Afton, Minnesota, USA. Diggins is renowned for her determination, skill, and trailblazing achievements in a sport that European athletes have traditionally dominated. 

She and teammate Kikkan Randall won the USA’s first-ever cross-country skiing gold medal at the Winter Olympics in the team sprint in 2018. 

At the 2022 Winter Olympics, Diggins won the silver medal in the 30km freestyle and the bronze medal in the individual sprint, making her the most decorated American cross-country skier of all time. She also won four medals at the Nordic World Championships from 2013 to 2017 and would later become the first American to win a gold medal at the event for an individual race in 2023. 

In 2021, Diggins clinched the top spot in the women’s overall standings for the 2020/2021 World Cup, becoming the first American to do so. 

Remarkable achievements in the career of Jessie Diggins

Jessie Diggins, an exceptional figure in the world of cross-country skiing, has forged a career that is nothing short of extraordinary. Her journey to greatness began when she was awarded an academic scholarship to Northern Michigan University. However, she deferred her enrollment to pursue her passion for skiing professionally, a decision that would ultimately define her legacy.

In 2011, Diggins debuted on the United States Ski Team, marking the start of a remarkable career. Her maiden World Championships appearance came in the same year, setting the stage for her ascent to greatness. In 2013, she achieved a significant milestone, winning a gold medal alongside Kikkan Randall in the team sprint at the World Ski Championships in Val di Fiemme.

The following year, at the U23 World Championships in 2014, Diggins showcased her prowess by securing a silver medal in the individual sprint. Her talent and dedication earned her a spot on the U.S. team for the 2014 Winter Olympics. In her first event, the 15-kilometer skiathlon, she finished an impressive 8th out of 61 competitors.

In 2015, Diggins continued to shine by winning the silver medal in the 10-kilometer freestyle race at the World Ski Championships in Falun. Her consistency in the 2015/2016 World Cup season reflected her prowess, with top-eight placements in the overall and sprint rankings and a ninth-place finish in the distance ranking.

The 2017 World Ski Championships in Lahti, Finland, brought further glory to Diggins. She clinched two medals, including a silver in the freestyle sprint and a bronze in the classic team sprint, alongside Sadie Bjornsen. Notably, this achievement made Diggins the first American to amass four World Championship medals in cross-country skiing.

Diggins continued to break barriers, finishing third overall in the 2017/2018 Tour de Ski, a historic feat for an American skier. She also secured a second-place finish in the World Cup 2017/2018 season standings, cementing her status as a dominant force in the sport.

The pinnacle of Diggins’ career came at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Alongside Kikkan Randall, she secured the first-ever gold medal for American cross-country skiers by winning the women’s team sprint. In a thrilling final sprint, Diggins overtook formidable competitors, etching her name in history.

Diggins’ remarkable journey continued at the 2021 Tour de Ski, where she made history as the first American to claim victory. Her exceptional performance throughout the World Cup 2020/2021 season secured her the coveted overall World Cup title, an achievement matched only by Bill Koch in 1982.

The 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing witnessed Diggins’ prowess once again as she won bronze in the women’s sprint, becoming the first American to secure an individual Olympic medal in a cross-country sprint. She further enhanced her legacy by winning silver in the women’s 30-kilometer freestyle, marking the first non-European to claim such a medal.

In December 2022, Diggins achieved yet another milestone, breaking the American record for World Cup cross-country ski wins with her fourteenth victory. Her legacy reached new heights at the 2023 World Ski Championships in Slovenia, where she and teammate Julie Kern secured bronze in the team sprint. In a historic moment, Diggins clinched gold in the 10-kilometer freestyle, becoming the first American to achieve this feat in an individual event at a cross-country skiing World Championship.

Also Read: Emotional Jessie Diggins claims gold for USA at the World Championships.

Important Results

Olympic Games – 2014, 2018, 2022

• Three medals (1 gold – 2018, 1 silver -2022, 1 bronze -2022)

World Championships – 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023

• Six medals (2 gold – 2013 and 2023, 2 silver – 2015 and 2017, 2 bronze – 2017 and 2023)

World Cup – 2011 to 2023

• Two titles (1 overall and 1 distance – 2021)
• Individual podiums (14 wins and 47 podiums)
• Team podiums (2 wins and 10 podiums)

U.S. National Championships medals

• 2011 – Rumford, Maine: 1st, sprint F
• 2011 – Sun Valley, Idaho: 3rd, 30km mass start C
• 2012 – Rumford, Maine: 1st, sprint F
• 2012 – Rumford, Maine: 1st, 10km F
• 2012 – Rumford, Maine: 1st, 20km mass start C
• 2012 – Rumford, Maine: 2nd, sprint C
• 2012 – Craftsbury, Vermont: 2nd, 30km mass start F
• 2016 – Craftsbury, Vermont: 1st, 30km mass start F
• 2018 – Craftsbury, Vermont: 1st, 30km mass start F 

Some other key highlights of Jessie Diggins’ career

• Advocacy and Philanthropy: Beyond her athletic achievements, Jessie Diggins is known for her advocacy for gender equality in sports and her efforts to promote outdoor recreation. She has also been involved in various charitable endeavors.
• Team USA: Diggins is a valuable member of the U.S. Cross-Country Ski Team, and she has contributed to the growth of cross-country skiing in the United States.
• Inspirational Figure: Diggins’ dedication, sportsmanship, and perseverance have made her an inspirational figure for aspiring athletes and fans of cross-country skiing. 

Jessie Diggins’ success in cross-country skiing has not only brought her personal accolades but has also raised the sport’s profile in the United States. Her journey from a young skier to an Olympic and World Championships gold medalist has been marked by hard work, dedication, and a commitment to her sport and community. 

Celebrating half a century of Nordic skiing excellence: The 50th American Birkebeiner

The American Birkebeiner is an iconic long-distance cross-country skiing race that holds a special place in the hearts of Nordic skiing enthusiasts. In the upcoming winter season, the event will mark its historic 50th edition, a testament to its enduring legacy and significance in the world of winter sports.

This prestigious race, part of the Ski Classics Challengers series, spans a challenging 50 kilometers, making it one of North America’s most demanding cross-country skiing events. The racecourse stretches from Cable to Hayward in the picturesque state of Wisconsin, promising a thrilling and grueling experience for participants and spectators alike.

What sets the American Birkebeiner apart is not only its rich history but also its status as a key fixture in the Ski Classics Challengers series. As part of this series, American Birkie attracts elite skiers worldwide, creating a highly competitive field that showcases the best in long-distance skiing.

Read More: Sonnesyn and Norris win the American Birkebeiner 2023

American Birkebeiner is a Ski Classics Challengers event. Pro Team registered athletes can collect points for the Ski Classics Champion and Youth competitions in their respective genders. 

A list of Ski Classics Challengers events with confirmed dates for season 2023/2024 can be found at Ski Classics. The list is updated continuously with new events.