Jessie Diggins Aims for 4th World Cup Title in Final Races

Cross-country skiing legend to retire after this season's World Cup Finals in Lake Placid

Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:34am

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Jessie Diggins, the most decorated U.S. cross-country skier, is set to compete in her final World Cup races before retiring. Diggins leads the overall World Cup standings and can clinch her 4th career title at the upcoming World Cup Finals in Lake Placid, New York. The 3-day event will be broadcast live on NBC Sports and Peacock.

Why it matters

Diggins is a trailblazer for U.S. cross-country skiing, becoming the first American to win a World Cup overall title. Her retirement will mark the end of an era, as she has been a dominant force in the sport for over a decade. Fans will have one last chance to watch her compete at the highest level.

The details

Diggins announced before this season that it would be her last. She is currently leading the overall World Cup standings by 342 points over Sweden's Moa Ilar, with a maximum of 345 points available at the Finals. This means Diggins is poised to clinch her 4th career World Cup title on the first day of competition in Lake Placid. Diggins is one of only two North Americans to ever win a World Cup overall title, joining fellow American Bill Koch in 1982.

  • The 2026 Cross-Country Skiing World Cup Finals will take place from March 17-19 in Lake Placid, New York.
  • Diggins needs to earn 3 points or more on the first day of competition (March 17) to clinch her 4th overall World Cup title.

The players

Jessie Diggins

The most decorated U.S. cross-country skier, with 4 Olympic medals. She is the only American other than Bill Koch to win a World Cup overall title, and is poised to win her 4th career title in her final season before retirement.

Moa Ilar

A cross-country skier from Sweden who is currently second in the overall World Cup standings, trailing Diggins by 342 points.

Johannes Høsflot Klæbo

A Norwegian cross-country skier who has won a record 6 gold medals at the Milan Cortina Winter Games. He has already clinched his 6th career World Cup overall title this season.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

It has not been announced yet whether Johannes Høsflot Klæbo will compete in the World Cup Finals in Lake Placid due to a recent concussion. His participation could have a major impact on the men's races.

The takeaway

Jessie Diggins' retirement from cross-country skiing will mark the end of an era for the sport in the United States. Her unprecedented success, including 4 Olympic medals and 4 World Cup overall titles, has inspired a new generation of American skiers and fans. Her final races in Lake Placid will be must-watch events for anyone who appreciates excellence in winter sports.