Jessie Diggins won the first stage of the Tour de Ski today in Toblach, Italy. The Tour de Ski is an annual multi-stage cross-country skiing competition and one of the most prestigious events in the sport. Modeled after cyclingโs Tour de France, it takes place over several days around New Year and features a series of races held at different locations across Europe. It is part of the FIS Cross-Country World Cup calendar and is considered a test of endurance, versatility, and tactical skill. The Tour often features iconic cross-country venues in countries like Switzerland, Germany, Italy, and Czechia, with Val di Fiemme serving as the traditional finale.
Diggins claimed her first World Cup sprint race in three years, admitting in an interview after the race, โI kind of thought I was getting old and not ready to have another sprint victory in my life so this was an amazing surprise.โ The three-time Olympic medallist Diggins led for much of the final with Finlandโs Jasmi Joensuu in close pursuit. Joensuu took the lead on the final descent, but Diggins managed to spring past her Finnish rival in a nail biting sprint, beating Joensuu by three-tenths of a second. Switzerlandโs Nadine Faehndrich finished in third.
Toblach holds a special place for Diggins, who won her first-ever career World Cup podium at Toblach in 2016. Todayโs victory marks her 23rd World Cup victory and 63rd podium overall. Diggins is the most successful American cross-country skier.
- Related: Jessie Diggins Overcomes Crash to Win 20km Pursuit at Cross-Country World Cup in Toblach, Italy
In the menโs sprint Norwayโs Johannes Klaebo won the race, with USAโs Ben Ogden in an imnpressive sixth place. Ogden could have possibly finished in a higher spot but had gotten tangled on the uphill section with Swiss athlete Grond, who took a tumble which also affected Ogden.