U.S. Women Finish Sixth in 4x7.5k Relay at World Championships

Dawning the red, white, and blue striped socks and "USA" face paint, with glitter across their cheeks, the U.S. women’s 4x7.5k relay team put up a strong fight in an incredibly challenging race at the World Championships, ultimately finishing sixth in the world. The event featured two classic legs followed by two skate legs. Rosie Brennan, Julia Kern, Sophia Laukli, and Jessie Diggins fought for the podium alongside 19 teams. Sweden ultimately won the day, with Norway in second and Germany third. 

Heavy rain the last couple of days and strong winds yesterday led to deteriorating tracks, which made the course increasingly choppy and slow. The teams battled through each leg, with Rosie Brennan leading off for the Americans, navigating the relentless climbs to keep the team in close contact with the front. 

"My goal was to stay as close as possible and tag off in close contact with other teams, and I felt I did that really well," said Brennan. "I was happy with how I skied today. I met my goals out there… it was good! The pace was fast from the start, especially in the second lap. The course is hard, I mean it’s seven minutes of straight climbing – it skies a little different than other courses, but our skis were great, good kick and good glide."

Julia Kern took over for the second classic leg, pushing hard to keep the U.S. in contention as the course continued to slow.

"I put it all out there for the team today," said Kern. "It was a really hard race, and of course I wanted more, but I gave everything I had in the race today, and that was my goal, and I am proud of that!"

Sophia Laukli took over for the third leg, shifting into skate skiing, before tagging off to Diggins for the anchor leg. Diggins delivered a gutsy performance, holding her own against Sweden’s Jonna Sundling's relentless pace, who was having what some would say the race of her life, erasing a 37.2-second deficit in just one 7.5k lap to secure Sweden’s gold medal.

Diggins, however, only lost three seconds to Sundling’s final time, a testament to her strong and gutsy skiing on the day. When it was all said and done, the U.S. team claimed sixth place but today's race was about more than just individual performances—it was about racing for something bigger - your teammates. 

"Relay days are special," Brennan reflected. "You go out there not just for yourself, but for your teammates."

The Championships continue tomorrow with the men’s 50k, followed by the women’s 50k on Sunday. Today’s race was held in front of another record-breaking crowd, with over 40,000 fans packed into the stadium and likely over 60,000 lining the woods, creating an atmosphere befitting a world-class event. Tomorrow, its speculated to be even bigger. 

RESULTS
Women

World Championships Schedule 

• Saturday, March 8
  • 5:30 a.m. men’s 50k - skiandsnowboard.live
• Sunday, March 9
  • 5:30 a.m. - women’s 50k - skiandsnowboard.live