Diggins Seventh in 30K Classic To Close 2018 Games
Jessie Diggins (Afton, Minn.) wrapped up the 2018 Olympic Winter Games finishing seventh in the 30k mass start classic race Sunday at the Alpensia Cross-Country Skiing Centre.
“It was a tough race for sure,” said Diggins, who finished with a time of 1:25:54.8 after suffering a first-lap crash. “Any time you do 30k it is really hard and it takes a lot of guts. For me, it was my worst race of the games, but I was seventh in the world today and I am really proud of that.”
Norway's Marit Bjoergen won the gold with a time of 1:22:17.6. Finland's Krista Parmakoski claimed the silver medal, while Stina Nilsson of Sweden won the bronze.
Sadie Bjornsen (Winthrop, Wash.) finished 17th with a time of 1:28:50.2, Rosie Frankowski (Anchorage, Alaska) was 21st in 1:31:11.4, and Caitlin Patterson (Anchorage, Alaska) was 26th, crossing the line in 1:32:43.6.
“It was really fun the last 15K, nothing felt really good out there but it was really fun to dig deep,” Bjornsen said. “It was a fun 30K suffer-fest.”
Following the event, Diggins led Team USA into PyeongChang Olympic Stadium as flag bearer for the Closing Ceremony.
RESULTS
Women’s 30k classic
Sadie Bjornsen leads Nathalie Von Siebenthal of Switzerland during the 30k classic at Alpensia Cross-Country Centre. (Getty Images - Lars Baron)
Caitlin Patterson finished 26th in the 30k classic cross country Sunday at Alpensia Cross-Country Centre. (Getty Images -Quinn Rooney)
Jessica Diggins competes in the 30k classic at Alpensia Cross-Country Centre. (Getty Images - Lars Baron)
Team USA flag bearer Jessica Diggins participates in the Parade of Athletes during the Closing Ceremony of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games at PyeongChang Olympic Stadium Sunday. (Getty Images - Dan Istitene)
