[ad_1]
The 2024 COOP FIS Cross Country World Cup ski races begin Saturday at Theodore Wirth Park in Minneapolis.
On Friday, we heard from some of Team USA’s athletes about their excitement and what the course looks like during the warm winter months.
“This is a really emotional thing for me, so please hold on if you start crying,” said Afton native and Team USA member Jesse Diggins.
It’s been more than 20 years since the Cross Country World Cup was held on American soil, and Afton native Jesse Diggins deserves a lot of credit for bringing the event to Minnesota.
“I think this was the last thing I really wanted to do in my career,” Diggins said.
But that almost never happened…
“It was really tough. It was really difficult to pull off such a cool, great event in these winter conditions,” Diggins said.
Due to the high temperatures and lack of snow, the Loppet Foundation put in extra work and creativity to bring the snow.
“It’s amazing to see how many people gave their all to make it happen,” Diggins said.
This week, the course was miraculously covered with several centimeters of snow, and the snow fell at just the right time, and athletes said they were impressed.
“Talking to other players and other teams, they were amazed at the conditions of the course,” Team USA’s Julia Kahn said.
“The course preparation was truly top-notch,” said Team USA’s Rosie Brennan.
Athletes from all over the world gather over the weekend, and thousands of spectators get to watch the sport up close.
“What other country would have to wait this long for their own World Cup and it would all be unleashed over the weekend? I don’t know, get ready… I think it’s going to be a tough time, so I’m worried. Tighten up,” Khan said.
Win or lose, Diggins believes it’s a win for the sport and for Minnesota heading into this weekend.
“I’m really grateful to all the people who made this World Cup possible. I think I can retire happily now. I won’t retire now, but I’ll be happy when I retire,” Diggins said.
Tickets are sold out, but an official watch party will be held across the street at Utepils Brewing.
The race starts at 10am on Saturday morning
[ad_2]
Source link
