September 03, 2018 (Wanaka, New Zealand) – Team USA’s Jessie Diggins continued her strong start to the season leading an American podium sweep of the women’s 5km FR Interval Start race that kicked of the Winter Games NZ at the Snow Farm in New Zealand.  Sophie Caldwell was second and Caitlin Patterson was third. Kyle Bratrud took the win in the men’s 10km race with Japan’s  Kaichi Naruse second followed by fellow American Benjamin Lustgarten in third.

Unofficial

Women
1. Jessie Diggins (USA)
2. Sophie Caldwell (USA)
3. Caitlin Patterson (USA)

Men
1. Kyle Bratrud (USA)
2. Kaichi Naruse (Jpn)
3. Benjamin Lustgarten (USA)