Diggins finally wins in Trondheim with Skiathlon sprint finish

Reigning double World Cup overall champion Jessie Diggins (USA) put herself in contention for a third straight Crystal Globe by winning the 20 km Skiathlon in Trondheim on Saturday.

It was her first victory at the Norwegian venue—where she had a disappointing Nordic World Championships earlier in the year—coming in what she has announced will be her final season on tour. Two years ago she finished second in the same race on the same track.

Diggins had to manage both a deep lead group and the particularities of the Trondheim course, whose long downhills and slipstreaming make breakaways difficult. She also recovered from a tangle with Frida Karlsson (SWE) entering the ski change between the classic and freestyle legs.

Karlsson, fresh off a 50 km world title and a win in Ruka, was first to push the pace after the ski change, with Skiathlon world champion Ebba Andersson (SWE) and Norwegians Heidi Weng and Astrid Øyre Slind in close pursuit. Andersson tried to get away on the penultimate lap but was brought back, as was a later acceleration by Slind.

Trusting her finishing speed, Diggins attacked decisively on the final climb. Weng tried to follow but a gap opened before the last right‑hander into the stadium. Diggins crossed the line one second ahead of Weng, with Andersson third another 1.3 seconds back after overtaking Karlsson on the finishing straight.

“It takes the whole truck,” Diggins said, crediting her service team for excellent classic kick and fast skate skis. She added that in her last season, it was special to finally leave Trondheim with a good memory.

Andersson, winner of this race at the venue two years prior and a double world champion here earlier in the year, called it a tough race with many athletes in contention late.

Racing in Trondheim continues Sunday with men’s and women’s 10 km interval start freestyle. Full results are available via the event page.