An Entirely Different World
The greatest nordic skiers — the skiers who win again and again with the magical type of consistency usually reserved for legendary ball play- ers or sports movie heroes — have certainty in each pole plant. There’s a knowing in great racers that draws in onlookers and awe. For American cross country skiers, that consistent confidence has been elusive. Until now.
The close of the first World Cup period in Canmore on Dec. 16 saw the women of the U.S. holding the second place position behind Norway in the Nation’s Cup standings, a first for American cross-country skiing.
The last four World Cups have included the first-ever U.S. team sprint victory, courtesy of Kikkan Randall and Jessie Diggins in Quebec City, the best-ever distance relay finish from any U.S. women’s team, career- best finishes from Holly Brooks, Jessie Diggins, Ida Sargent and Sophie Caldwell, as well as a tie between Randall and Norway’s Marit Bjoergen for second place in the overall world cup standings.
About the Author: Eric Williams
