In 2008 and 2009, a teenage skier from Minnesota won the 23 kilometer Korteloppet race at the Telemark Resort in Cable, WI: that’s how Jessie Diggins got her start. Way back then, she probably imagined that her future would one day include contending for the win in the full-length Birkebeiner race. That was many years, and many kilometers, and many races, and many headlines ago. Now, Jessie Diggins will finally get her chance to line up at the American Birkebeiner.
Recent press releases have announced that Olympic and World Cup Champion, Jessie Diggins (USA), intends to compete in the 2024 American Birkebeiner (which will also be celebrating the 50th running of the race). The scheduling of North American races on the 2023-2024 World Cup circuit creates opportunities for Diggins to contend at the Minneapolis World Cup events on February 17-18, and to stay in the USA long enough to race the American Birkebeiner on February 22, as well.
Fans of Nordic skiing should pay close attention to whomever wins the 2024 Korteloppet; in the past, that Korteloppet podium has been a good indicator of successes to come . . .
