Jessie Diggins is the most decorated cross-country skier in American history. She is also ranked as the best cross-country skier in the world, in a sport that rewards only the most spectacularly fit. Now competing in her fourth and final Olympics, the three-time Olympic medalist arrives at Milan as a different athlete than she was at her first Games. She tells WIRED that she’s more confident, more empowered, and more invested in the world beyond the sport.
Diggins helped secure the first US gold in cross-country skiing at Pyeongchang, but her work extends far off the course. She advocates for mental health and eating disorder recovery through her work with the Emily Program, supports climate action as an ambassador for Protect Our Winters, and champions broader access to winter sports through the Share Winter Foundation. “I’m still focused on being as good a teammate as I can be and performing to my highest potential,” she says, “but there’s much more behind each race now.”
To remind her that there’s a lot more than race results at stake, she doesn’t travel without a framed family photo. It sits on her nightstand whenever she’s away from home. She also packs a growing stack of loose pictures and handwritten good-luck notes from friends and family. At every Olympics, she tapes them up across her bedroom. “It reminds me of what’s really important at the end of the day,” Diggins tells WIRED.
We asked Diggins what else made the trip to Milan.
An Instant Smile
Before every race, Diggins swipes a bit of sparkle across her cheeks to remind herself to smile and enjoy the ride. “It’s supposed to be fun!” She uses Dermatone’s biodegradable glitter; its Lips & Face: Snow/Ski kit includes two mini balms, red and blue glitter pots, and four ski-themed stencils.
A Good Night’s Sleep
Saatva
Signature Sateen Sheet Set
Saatva sent Diggins her favorite Signature Sateen Sheet Set, allowing her to turn her Olympic bedroom into a familiar sleep setup. Made from 300-thread-count long-staple cotton, the sheets are breathable, cooling, and higher quality than standard hotel bedding. “Sleep is the most important way to recover and be ready to race at my best, so having a great sleep environment is key for me,” she says.
Something to Do With Her Hands
Inscraft
113 Piece Crochet Kit with Yarn Set
This season, Diggins took up knitting as a way to decompress. “It’s been a huge mental health boost for me on nervous pre-racing mornings,” she says. “I’m bringing enough wool and needles to knit a sweater during the Games.”
Salomon Skis
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Salomon
S/Lab Skate (and Shift Race)
Diggins will be competing in all six cross-country ski events in Milan (although she was eliminated in the quarterfinals for the sprint classic yesterday with bruised ribs). That’s a lot of skis! She keeps 70 pairs of Salomon racing skis in her wax truck, each tuned for different snow textures and weather conditions. On race days, her wax tech and coach, Jason Cork, will pick out pairs for her to test beforehand.
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