American Ski Racer Jessie Diggins Crashes Out of Olympic Gold Hunt in Milan Cortina
Swedish skier Frida Karlsson took top honors at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics women's skiathlon, finishing a whopping 51 seconds ahead of teammate Ebba Andersson. Karlsson delivered a flawless performance, completing the demanding 20-kilometer course with ease despite the challenging wet snow conditions.
The young Swede, who claimed bronze in the relay at the Beijing Games four years ago, seemed unfazed by the grueling terrain and performed a seamless ski exchange during the twin-style race. Her teammate Andersson, also from Sweden, held onto an early advantage but ultimately finished second, 51 seconds behind Karlsson.
The American skier Jessie Diggins, who struggled throughout the race, suffered a spectacular fall on a bend in the classic stage and ended up finishing eighth. Despite her disappointing result, Diggins remained optimistic about her performance, attributing her poor showing to outside factors beyond her control. The US skier praised herself for her heart, grit, and energy commitment, expressing pride in her efforts throughout the Olympics.
Karlsson expressed a sense of elation after crossing the finish line, grabbing onto a large Swedish flag and hugging her teammate, much to the cheers of a large group of fans. Her moment of triumph came when she realized that she was actually competing at the highest level, saying "That was when the moment hit me. I was like, OK this is for real."
Andersson acknowledged the difficulties posed by the soft snow conditions and warm temperature on the Dolomite mountain course, stating that competitors needed to be mentally tough to keep up with the pace despite exhaustion. The athlete also praised her own resilience in coping with the relentless fatigue.
The Milan Cortina Olympics marked a historic milestone for cross-country skiing, as both men and women competed over an equalized 20-kilometer distance for the first time.
Swedish skier Frida Karlsson took top honors at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics women's skiathlon, finishing a whopping 51 seconds ahead of teammate Ebba Andersson. Karlsson delivered a flawless performance, completing the demanding 20-kilometer course with ease despite the challenging wet snow conditions.
The young Swede, who claimed bronze in the relay at the Beijing Games four years ago, seemed unfazed by the grueling terrain and performed a seamless ski exchange during the twin-style race. Her teammate Andersson, also from Sweden, held onto an early advantage but ultimately finished second, 51 seconds behind Karlsson.
The American skier Jessie Diggins, who struggled throughout the race, suffered a spectacular fall on a bend in the classic stage and ended up finishing eighth. Despite her disappointing result, Diggins remained optimistic about her performance, attributing her poor showing to outside factors beyond her control. The US skier praised herself for her heart, grit, and energy commitment, expressing pride in her efforts throughout the Olympics.
Karlsson expressed a sense of elation after crossing the finish line, grabbing onto a large Swedish flag and hugging her teammate, much to the cheers of a large group of fans. Her moment of triumph came when she realized that she was actually competing at the highest level, saying "That was when the moment hit me. I was like, OK this is for real."
Andersson acknowledged the difficulties posed by the soft snow conditions and warm temperature on the Dolomite mountain course, stating that competitors needed to be mentally tough to keep up with the pace despite exhaustion. The athlete also praised her own resilience in coping with the relentless fatigue.
The Milan Cortina Olympics marked a historic milestone for cross-country skiing, as both men and women competed over an equalized 20-kilometer distance for the first time.
Just reading this news about Frida Karlsson winning gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics... She seems so cool under pressure! I mean, 51 seconds ahead of her teammate is insane. Jessie Diggins was super optimistic after her fall though, and I think that's great. It's not easy to deal with disappointment, but she stuck to what made her strong in the first place - her heart and energy. Maybe she'll bounce back stronger from this 
So what's up with American skier Jessie Diggins? I feel bad for her, she gave it her all but just couldn't get that gold 
. I mean, those Swedish girls were on fire though! Frida Karlsson totally deserved that gold medal, her performance was insane 
. But I've gotta respect Jessie's attitude, she's still hyped about competing and pushing herself to the limit 
. And can we talk about how epic it is that both men and women are competing in equal distance for cross-country skiing? It's a game-changer 
. Maybe next time for Jessie, but I'm sure she'll be back stronger than ever 
. That Olympic gold medal feels so well-deserved 
! And can we talk about Jessie Diggins' resilience? She's still got that spark after a tough run 
... but I guess you can't win 'em all 
. Congrats to Frida and Sweden on this epic win 
!
And to think she was a bronze medalist at Beijing four years ago...she's been grinding for this moment and it shows.
. I feel bad for her, struggling like that on the course. But hey, at least she's being positive about it and giving props to herself for the effort. That's what it's all about, right?
So tough! I guess you just gotta be mentally tough if you wanna keep up with the pace. Poor Ebba Andersson, but she gave it her all too.
!
congratulations to her and Sweden on that sick win! And can we talk about how awesome it is that women are finally getting equalized distances in cross-country skiing? 
I mean, I know it's Italy and all, but come on! 
frustrating. I mean, I get that snow conditions can be crazy but 51 seconds ahead of her teammate? That's a big gap to bridge. 
. And can we talk about Frida Karlsson for a sec? 
She's on fire 
! That flawless ski exchange during the twin-style race was pure magic 
. It's not just about being in top shape physically, but also mentally tough to push through exhaustion 
. I love how both athletes are taking it all in stride and focusing on their own growth 
. And let's be real, 20-kilometer distance is a whole new level of endurance 
! Can't wait to see what the rest of the Olympics have in store 
.