January 26, 2019 (Ulricehamn, Sweden) – The USA’s Jessie Diggins was just off the podium in the women’s 10km FR at the World Cup in Sweden as Norway’s Therese Johaug took yet another victory followed by her teammate Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen in second with Ebba Andersson of Sweden on home snow in third.

American Sadie Bjornsen was 15th, Caitlin Petterson was 23rd, Rosie Brennan was 28th, Rosie Frankowski was 42nd and lone Canadian Dahria Beatty was 56th.

“The atmosphere here is unreal,” said Diggins. “I have never had the chance to race in front of 50,000 fans lining every inch of the course before, and it was just incredible energy out there! But the biggest boost of all came right before the race when we watched the World Junior Championship relays and cheered on the girls and guys teams. Seeing the guys win, skiing so well and so gutsy, gave me happy tears! I couldn’t be more stoked for them and it got me really fired up to go as hard as I possibly could out there today.”

Bjornsen had a solid day noting the huge fans on hand. “What an incredibly fun race out there today. I haven’t had that much fun racing in a long time! With 45,000 screaming fans on the side of the trail, it is hard to not enjoy every moment of the experience, even when you are dying.

I wax extra inspired this morning watching my world junior teammates crushing the relay event in Lahti, Finland. The women were 4th, just seconds off the podium, and the men were WORLD CHAMPIONS. Which was so inspiring! So I tried to channel some of their fearless energy in todays race.

“I went out hot, and did my best to hold it. I felt really good and powerful out there. On my second lap, heading up the second climb, my legs absolutely flooded to the gill, and unfortunately I bled some valuable time. I tried to bring myself together for the final kilometers of the race, and was excited to ski the last kilometer with Astrid (who was 3rd today).

“Today, the “final place” of 15th didn’t speak much to me. I have started a heavy training block, with the goal of peaking for World Champs in about 3.5 weeks from now, so I tried not to put much of an expectation on placing this weekend, and simply focus on racing my strengths, and pushing my mind and body as much as I could. I was happy to complete 80% of a great race, and looking forward to finding those final 20% in the weeks leading into the championships. I believe in the plan, and it feels like my body does too. Thank you Sweden for making us feel extra special out there, and reminding us what a special opportunity we have,” she concluded.

Brennan had this to say, “I had to conquer some of my weaknesses out there today which was a good challenge. I didn’t quite do as well in the challenge as I had hoped, but there were some positives to take away. I found some better speed on the second lap which I was happy about and moved up in the end. The atmosphere in Ulricehamn is unbelievable with some 45,000 fans out there cheering today. It’s hard to know what’s going on in the race because it’s so loud so I tried to just feel the energy. I think it will take some races and some hard efforts to get back to where I want after a long break, but I have the time and have a plan. I am really excited to get in yet another relay tomorrow and am hoping to channel some incredible inspiration from the Junior Boys who brought us all to tears today.”

Results here.