LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (WCAX) – In one of the final races in her skiing career at Lake Placid, Jessie Diggins on Friday secured her fourth overall World Cup title.
The U.S. cross-country skiing sensation pulled through heavy snowfall and a hilly course to finish in fifth in the women’s 10-kilometer classic. That was enough to secure the points she needed to win the crystal globe for the overall leader this season.
“It pushes you, and it challenges you, but I love that. That’s part of the excitement. It’s like, alright, it’s snowing, how much kick do we want in the skis,” said Diggins.
United States’ Jessie Diggins competes during the women’s World Cup Finals Interval Start 10 km Classic cross country skiing race Friday, March 20, 2026, in Lake Placid, N.Y. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)(Robert F. Bukaty | AP)
Heavy snowfall didn’t stop thousands from watching the top Nordic skiers compete. The skiers said they were excited by the support from the crowd.
“The atmosphere, the crowd, they were just so awesome. Like it was so loud I couldn’t hear myself breathe. You’re going as hard as you can, and you want to put on a show for them,” Diggins said.
The men’s race later in the afternoon saw fans travel from as far as Alaska to watch U.S. skier Gus Schumacher power his way to place 7th.
“The last couple of kilometers — it was really fun to have so many people cheering and know what will make them the happiest is me going as hard as I can, put it all out there,” Schumacher said.
United States’ Gus Schumacher competes during the men’s World Cup Finals Interval Start 10 km Classic cross country skiing race Friday, March 20, 2026, in Lake Placid, N.Y. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)(Robert F. Bukaty | AP)
Vermonter Ben Ogden, who skated to two silver medals at the Winter Olympics, finished 11th.
“It’s hard to describe how good a feeling it is, and I mean everyone just wants to be supported, and how did I get so spoiled, you know,” Ogden said.
The Norwegians, led by Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, swept the podium.
United States’ Ben Ogden competes during the men’s World Cup Finals Interval Start 10 km Classic cross country skiing race Friday, March 20, 2026, in Lake Placid, N.Y. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)(Robert F. Bukaty | AP)
Diggins, who trains with Ogden and other members of the U.S. Ski Team with Stratton Mountain School’s pro team, will be retiring at the end of this season as the winningest cross-country skier in U.S. history. She’ll take her last laps on the world stage Sunday and hopes to embrace the crowd more.
“My goals for these last races of my career were simply to have fun, be present in the moment, be with the crowd,” she said.
Sprint races continue on Saturday and wrap up Sunday with a 30K race.
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