Diggins Clinches Third Career Crystal Globe in a Season Defined by Grit and Joy

Jessie Diggins claimed the FIS Cross Country World Cup overall title for the third time in her career, alongside the distance Crystal Globe by just two points, after a dominant 2024-25 season. It is her second year in a row winning both the overall and distance FIS Crystal Globes.

Diggins had seven podium finishes in the 2024-25 season—six of them victories, including her first ever classic race win in the 15k at the Tour de Ski. Despite battling a foot injury in the second half of the season, she remained at the top of the standings from start to finish, wearing the coveted yellow leader’s bib from the very first race weekend. This is Diggins' third time clinching the overall Crystal Globe; she is the only non-European to win the Globe in the sport's history.

“I think that this year, it was so joyful to be able to prove to myself that I could win the overall Crystal Globe in a place of being really happy and mentally healthy and in a strong and resilient body that could stay healthy all season,” Diggins reflected. “There was more joy in the process, and there was less stress overall!”

Diggins displayed grit and resilience throughout the season, overcoming plantar fasciitis and a partially torn ligament in her foot to continue competing, only missing a couple of races after the Tour de Ski. She finished third in the overall Tour de Ski standings. She capped off her season with another significant achievement: winning a World Championships silver medal in the skate sprint alongside teammate Julia Kern. It marked the second consecutive time the duo has reached the World Championship podium together and Diggins' seventh World Championships medal. 

Diggins’ career numbers further highlight her impact on the sport: 358 World Cup starts, 79 podiums and 29 victories. But for her, success has evolved beyond just statistics.

“When I was younger, it was hard to separate succeeding from succeeding on the results sheet. My self-worth was based on what number was next to my name,” she said. "Succeeding at something, to me, is going after it with your whole heart, doing it in a way that lifts up other people and means that you cross the finish line with nothing left. I want to always look back and go, ‘that was the best I could do and I left everything out there."

She also emphasized the significance of breaking new ground in her sport. “You can’t be what you can’t see,” Diggins explained. “Sometimes you need to see someone do it to believe that it’s possible. Hopefully, this creates more opportunity for those coming after me.”

Looking ahead to the next season—an Olympic year—Diggins will have to decide how to balance her World Cup ambitions with Olympic preparation. However, one thing remains clear: She continues to race because she loves the sport and the process of pushing herself to new limits.

“I’ve been very fortunate to achieve a lot of my big hopes and dreams, but I am still here doing this because I genuinely love it. I love finding out how tough, gritty and mentally strong I can be when things are tough. And that’s what keeps me coming back.”

As she celebrates another historic milestone, Diggins remains committed to her team and to inspiring the next generation of cross country skiers. A common theme among the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team is the importance of a supportive culture, which Diggins credits to her success, especially this season. "When one of us wins, we all win. It's not all about results; it's about being a team player and being part of something bigger than yourself."

And her advice for young athletes who dream to one day be like Diggins, on top of the world in her sport, is simple:

“Do it because you love it. This sport is so much hard work, and that’s what’s so fun about it. Find a team you truly love to be around, put a lot into that team, and love the process. At the end of the day, the process is all there is.”

The season wrapped with the 50k classic, Diggins was back in the top 10, finishing the day in ninth. Gus Schumacher led the way for the men, crossing the line and waving to the fans in seventh. 

RESULTS
50k 
Women
Men

Overall 
Women
Men