December 08, 2018 (Beitostolen, NOR) – Jessie Diggins delivered a strong 8th-place result to lead three American women into the top 15 at the 15 km F interval start in Beitostolen, Norway won by local favourite Therese Johaug. Charlotte Kalla (Swe) claimed 2nd over Ingvild Flugstad Østberg (Nor) in third.

Sadie Bjornsen (USA) finished close behind Diggins in 10th with Rosie Brennan matching her career-best 15th. Caitlin Patterson (USA) was 32nd, Emily Nishikawa (Can) was 34th, Cendrine Browne (Can) was 38th and Kaitlynn Miller (USA) placed 50th. It was a solid start for the Canadians who joined the World Cup caravan in Beitostolen.

“I feel really good about today as it was a positive step in the right direction! After racing with a cold last weekend in Lillehammer it was really nice to be feeling more like myself this week. My body felt like it was responding much better when I kept pushing the limits, which is a good sign! It was a good fight out there today and I’m happy with where my shape is headed,” said Diggins post-race.

Bjornsen wanted more but was satisfied with 13th. “Work, work work. That was the theme of the race out there today. Sometimes as a World Cup skier, I dream of “easier courses” since we spend most of our time on walls, and high speed luge track downhills. But today, I was reminded why sometimes an “easier course” is in fact harder. With the falling snow, and the gradual terrain out there, there wasn’t a second to rest your muscles, mind, or lungs.

“I went out super hard, and did my very best to hold for as long as I could, but discovered a minor explosion in my muscles midway through. I love taking a chance, and seeing what I can do on the day. I used to try to pace races all the time, which sometimes could be smarter, but these days I start everything like I am racing for the podium. Some days that will work, other days it won’t. I  felt like I was in a deeper pain cave than any single race this year, so I am proud for that. On a course that I wouldn’t chose as my favorite, I was satisfied to finish 13th.

“I am REALLY looking forward to tomorrows relay event. We have a collection of girls on the team racing really well, and a new “relay squad” to pick from, so I am excited to see what the coaches will pick, and what we can accomplish,” she concluded.

“Today’s race was just a total grind. With new snow overnight and snow during the race on top of a more gradual course, there was very little rest out there making for a tough day. I generally like the grind so I was optimistic about what today would bring. I tried to pace a little the first two laps and try to let loose the last lap. I didn’t have as much left as I had hoped in the end, but I am happy to have held steady and not drop any places. Overall, it was just a tough race, but I am satisfied with my effort and really excited to have a relay tomorrow,” said Brennan.

Results here.