February 13, 2018 (PyeongChang, South Korea) – The USA’s Jessie Diggins led three Americans into the top 12 in the women’s Sprint CL finishing 6th as Sweden’s Stina Nilsson was a runaway winner after executing a superb downhill to a solo victory. Maiken Caspersen Falla (NOR) won the silver and Yulia Belorukova (OAR) took the bronze.

Sophie Caldwell (USA) advanced to the semi finals to finish eighth as wind and snow greeted skiers at the Alpensia Cross Country Centre while her teammate Sadie Bjornsen led her quarterfinal heat, but ended up fourth to finish 12th on the day.

“For me, just making the final has been a huge step forward,” said Diggins. “If you had told me a year ago that I would make the Olympic classic finals, I never would have believed you.

The top Canadian was Emily Nishikawa in 34th just behind American Ida Sargent in 33rd. Canada’s Dahria Beatty was 42nd and Cendrine Browne finished 51st.

The US had a strong showing with Caldwell taking second in her quarterfinal followed by Diggins who did the same. In the semifinals, Caldwell battled for a potential lucky loser spot but came up short while Diggins skied strong winning a photo-finish for second with Natalia Nepryaeva, an Olympic Athlete from Russia (OAR).

“We had really competitive skis today and we have such a deep and strong women’s team so I’m really stoked,” added Diggins. “I’m really, really proud of this race today, it was a good one for me and I think it shows some good things to come.”

Nilsson was unstoppable all evening and took the final with the same domination. “I feel very emotional and also very happy. I felt strong during the whole day so to be able to take the gold medal was fantastic. It means so much. I have worked so hard for this, so many years. It’s been many ups and many downs and to take the gold medal today is something that I’m going to be proud of for the rest of my life. I really had the best day of my life so far.”–

Qualifications here
Final results here