Zhangjiakou, China, Feb 9 (BUS): Bronze medal winner Jessica Diggins got some help in her crusade to keep US Olympic cross-country skiing relevant on Tuesday as teammate Rosie Brennan finished fourth in a very competitive field, off the podium. .
Diggins, who with Kikkan Randall ended the U.S. cross-country drought of more than four decades when she took gold in the sprint in 2018, was delighted to have another American at her side as they competed against three Swedes and a Swiss rider in the six. Women’s final.
“She’s been amazing, she’s skating very well,” Diggins said of Brennan, whose performance was 1.36 seconds off the podium.
“I mean, I know what that feels like. I’m so proud of Bruce, she’s doing so well. She’s doing everything right, and I’m so proud to be her teammate, so I think it bodes well.”
Diggins-Randall’s shock gold at Pyeongnchang heralded a new era for the sport in America, and Diggins has since been highly respected for her performances on the track, particularly in the sprint disciplines, Reuters reports.
The reward was a fresh Olympic medal, and the 30-year-old from Minnesota was quick to pay tribute to the people who made her a spot of success.
“It’s so wild, and I’m so grateful,” she said. “It’s such an overwhelming feeling because it’s taken from so many people.”
“We’ve had great skaters, we have great colleagues who helped and pushed me, we have an amazing support team, so many great volunteers and coaches, so this really belongs to everyone.”
Newfound success brings with it a Sarah dilemma as the U.S. will have to pick from the likes of Diggins, Brennan and sprint specialist Hanna Halvorsen for the sprint event on February 16, but Diggins said she will be ready.
“(I) just[will]take good care of myself as much as I can and recover, and prepare for all the remaining races.”