What a Difference Eight Years Makes

Jessie Diggins races at the 2025 World Championships, backed by a deeper, more experienced U.S. service team. Photo: Gretchen Powers

Inside the quiet transformation powering U.S. cross country skiing’s Olympic medal push

When Jessie Diggins and Kikkan Randall won the team sprint at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games, their Olympic gold medal was a boon to U.S. cross country skiing. It brought awareness to the sport and more kids excited to try it.

It also had a big payoff...