As she arrived at the press conference, just a few hours after her historic victory, Jessie was overcome with emotion. The kind of emotion that comes when one has accomplished something truly remarkable. She took a deep breath and addressed the gathered journalists:

“There have been a lot of emotions today, but there are only tears of joy. I’m just so proud to be a part of this team. Everyone works so hard for us. Our wax techs must have skied five times more than me. We had fantastic skis,” says Diggins.

According to Jessie, the strategy was straightforward in theory but demanding in practice: 

“I had a very clear plan: I wanted to finish with absolutely nothing left. Sometimes that means you win, and sometimes you don’t. But then you have given everything you have. I just wanted to ski the best race I could. I focused on what I had to do to make it the best possible,” says Diggins and continues: 

“It will probably be a calm celebration because I have several races left this week,” says Diggins.

Diggins’ win not only earned her a place in the history books as the USA’s first-ever World Championships individual gold medalist but also solidified her remarkable season.

Her latest triumph builds on a remarkable record of historic firsts. At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, she won bronze in the sprint, becoming the first American cross-country skier to claim an individual medal at the Olympics since 1976, when Bill Koch won silver. Furthermore, in 2018, Diggins and Kikkan Randall made history by winning gold in the team sprint.

Jessie Diggins took to one of her social media channels later in the day to share a post:

“I have no words for all these emotions… but THANK YOU seems like a good place to start once I’m done crying happy tears!

To Wade and my family, all the wax techs, coaches, volunteers, and teammates who have pushed me and been there for me through times, sponsors, who believed in me… thank you. Today was possible because of you. Today we did something that’s never been done by a US XC skier before – and now the next generation knows that they can, too.”

A Milestone For The USA

“It’s a big milestone for our country, and I hope it inspires kids back home to see that it’s possible and that it’s not just our first medal, it’s just the beginning,” said teammate Julia Kern after the race and continues:

“It shows that anyone from any country can win and that it takes a team, resources, support, and hard work. It is possible if you set your mind to something and believe in it.”

Rosie Brennan, who had a tough day on the tracks, also underlines how important the gold medal is:

“Every time the USA can take home a gold medal is good for all of us. It lifts us up and shows us that anything is possible.”

It’s not just the Americans who are happy about Jessie Diggins’ gold. Even her fellow competitors rejoice with Jessie’s first individual gold.

Good For The Sport

“What she did is so impressive,” says silver medalist Frida Karlsson after the race and continues: 

“I had good speed at the end, but the way she skied at the end, it was something extra. Then it’s great for the sport. Even though we think it’s great that it’s going well for Sweden and that we take all the medals except for two, it’s good for the sport that someone else wins, especially an American girl.”

Anne Kjersti Kalvå, who finished fourth in the race, is also impressed by Diggins’ performance.

“It’s insanely impressive, and I already understood at the team sprint that she was in very good shape, and the track here fits her very well. It’s cool, impressive, and good when someone pushes the Swedes down a little,” says Anne Kjersti Kalvå.

Swedish national team manager Anders Byström joins the crowd and discusses Diggins’ win’s importance.

“It was probably important that Diggins got to win. Many congratulated Diggins from all different countries, and they probably wouldn’t have done that if it was a Swede or a Norwegian who won. It means a lot,” Byström says.

Next up is the men’s 15km in freestyle technique. Preview, start list and start times can be found here.

See below the complete program for the World Championships in Planica, Slovenia. *subject to changes

FACTS Planica World Championships Season 2022/2023

• When: Tuesday, February 21 to Sunday, March 5, 2023 
• Who: Elite national skiers
• Where: Planica, Slovenia
• What: FIS Cross-Country World Championships in Planica, Slovenia

Planica 2023 – Cross-Country Skiing Complete Program

February 21, Tuesday

• 20:23 Opening Ceremony, Planica Nordic Park Kranjska Gora

February 22, Wednesday

• 12:00 Women’s Qualification race, 5km freestyle
• 13:30 Men’s Qualification race, 10km freestyle

Start lists, details, and results you can find here

February 23, Thursday

• 12:00 Women/Men Sprint qualification, classic
• 14:30 Women/Men Sprint finals, classic

Start lists, details, and results you can find here

February 24, Friday

• 15:30 Men’s Skiathlon, 15/15km

Start list, details, and results you can find here

February 25, Saturday

• 14:00 Women’s Skiathlon, 7.5km/7.5km

Start list, details, and results you can find here

February 26, Sunday

• 11:30 Women/Men Team Sprint qualification, freestyle
• 13:30 Women/Men Team Sprint finals, freestyle

Start lists, details, and results you can find here

February 27, Monday 

• Day Off

February 28, Tuesday

• 12:30 Women’s Individual, 10km freestyle

Start list, details, and results you can find here

March 1, Wednesday

• 12:30 Men’s Individual, 15km freestyle

Start list, details, and results you can find here

March 2, Thursday 

• 12:30 Women’s Relay, 4x5km classic/freestyle

Start list, details, and results you can find here

March 3, Friday

• 12:30 Men’s Relay, 4x10km classic/freestyle

Start list, details, and results you can find here

March 4, Saturday

• 12:00 Women’s Mass Start, 30km classic

Start list, details, and results you can find here

March 5, Sunday

• 12:00 Men’s Mass Start, 50km classic
• After the competition – Medal and Closing Ceremony

Start list, details, and results you can find here