FIS official reveals: Last winter’s overall cross-country skiing World Cup winner has reportedly decided to retire.

Jessie Diggins is set to end her World Cup career after the 2025/2026 Olympic season. The 34-year-old American plans to retire following the World Cup finals on home soil in Lake Placid next spring.

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The news was revealed by Simon Caprini, race director at the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), during the Nouvelles Traces podcast—almost in passing—while reviewing the World Cup calendar for the coming season.

The schedule ends with a round in Lake Placid, USA, offering the American veteran the perfect chance to finish her career with a celebration at home.

“It was almost by coincidence, a bonus,” said Caprini.

Asked whether he had staged the reveal as a gesture to an athlete who has given so much to the sport for years, Caprini explained:

“The fantastic atmosphere during the World Cup in Minneapolis last winter impressed so many that we almost immediately got questions about more races over there. To be honest, logistics are very challenging, but the interest from local ski communities is something we cannot ignore. So, the World Cup will return there from time to time.”

Confirmation still pending

Diggins herself has not confirmed the news that Caprini mentioned in the podcast. Still, her earlier appearance in New York has already led insiders to speculate that this could indeed be her final season.

The Olympics in Val di Fiemme—where Diggins has already won two overall Tour de Ski titles—would then be her last chance to add to her already extensive collection of championship medals. She currently holds three Olympic medals, including one gold (team sprint, 2018), and seven World Championship medals, two of them gold.

Read More: Program for cross-country skiing at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

A remarkable career, a big void

Jessie Diggins has competed in the World Cup for more than 15 years and has frequently discussed the challenges of constant travel and being away from her family for half the year. This past winter, she also struggled with injuries.

The ever-energetic American will leave a significant void behind. No one else on the circuit races as much as Diggins. Unlike many of her rivals, she has never skipped World Cup rounds to prepare for championships.

The World Cup finals in Lake Placid in March 2026 may therefore mark the end of her career.

Story developing.

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