February 02, 2011 (Madona, Latvia) – The USA’s rising star, Jessie Diggins, continues to show the excellent form that gave her a top-10 finish at the 2011 World Junior Championships last week – she placed 7th in the women’s 5km freestyle race.

Today at the Scandinavia Cup in Madona, Latvia Diggins qualified 3rd in the women’s 1.0km freestyle skate sprint.  She went on to finish 5th in the finals competing in a strong open women’s field.

Diggins’ teammate, Ida Sargent also showed impressive form to finish just ahead of Diggins in the final in 4th, after qualifying 5th.

The women’s sprint was won by Kirsi Peraelae of Finland, who also qualified first.  All of the American women finished in the top 20 with Jennie Bender in 9th, Rebecca Rorabaugh in 15th, and Heather Mooney in 20th.

The men’s sprint was won by Hans Petter Lykkja of Norway. The top American was Skylar Davis in 38th.

The American team has stayed in Europe following the World Junior/World U23 championships to race at the Scandavia Cup in Latvia.  No Canadians are racing at these events.

The Scandinva Cup continues tomorrow with a 10km freestyle race for the women, and a 15km freestyle race for the men.

Women’s qualification HERE.
Men’s qualification HERE.

Women’s Final HERE.
Men’s Final HERE.