February 21, 2019 (Seefeld, AUT) – The USA’s Jessie Diggins finished 8th in the women’s 1.2km Sprint FR as the 2019 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships got underway in Seefeld, Austria on Thursday.

Norway’s Maiken Caspersen Falla took home gold and the world title with Stina Nilsson of Sweden claiming second and Mari Eide of Norway third. A crash late in the race marred the finish.

American Sophie Caldwell was 14th, Sadie Bjornsen placed 18th and Julia Kern finished 23rd. Canada’s Dahria Beatty narrowly missed a spot in the women’s heats just out of top-30 in 31st.

“If I was going to build a course perfect for me, this would not be it,” said Diggins, who battled hard in her semifinal heat, but in a short 1.2km course got boxed in and finished fourth. “But that’s OK because this is the only time all week I will need fast twitch and I am a self-described slow-twitch athlete. I am proud of how I raced today and did the best I could.”

In the final Falla led from the start with three Swedes chasing hard. On the final corner before the downhill to the finish Sweden’s Maja Dahlqvist collided with her teammate Jonna Sundling who managed to stay upright. Falla capitalized and gapped her rivals for a clear victory.

Canucks Katherine Stewart-Jones finished 40th with teammate Maya Macisaac-Jones in 52nd. The World Championships continue on Saturday with the men’s and women’s Skiathlon.

Women’s Sprint Qualifications here.
Women’s Sprint Finals here.