American cross-country skier Jessie Diggins earned a bronze medal in the women's 10k skate at the Milano Cortina Olympics in Tesero, Italy. The race took place on Thursday, February 12, at the Tesero Cross-Country Stadium in Val di Fiemme.
Diggins' bronze marks her fourth Olympic podium finish and the first time an American has medaled in the 10k event. According to snowbrains.com, she powered through the race despite suffering from bruised ribs.
Sweden's Frida Karlsson won gold with a time of 22:49.2, a significant 46 seconds ahead of her teammate Ebba Andersson, who took silver. Diggins finished with a time of 23:38.9, just four seconds behind Andersson.
Karlsson said in a FIS interview that she felt full of energy and carried along by the crowd. Andersson told FIS she was impressed with Karlsson's speed.
The conditions at Val di Fiemme were ideal, with sunny skies and firm, fast snow. The course was reportedly salted before the race. According to U.S. Ski & Snowboard, Diggins focused on what she could do in the moment. She told FIS she was the happiest bronze medalist and grateful for the team effort to get her to the start line.
Other Team USA finishers included Kendall Kramer in 38th place (her Olympic debut), Hailey Swirbul in 39th, and Novie McCabe in 31st.
Diggins' Olympic medal count now includes a gold from the team sprint with Kikkan Randall at PyeongChang 2018, a silver and a bronze from Beijing 2022, and the recent bronze in Milano Cortina. Karlsson said she got pacing advice from Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo.
