Get to Know Gold-Medal Skier Jessie Diggins as She Takes to the Snow at the Olympics
With the snow, fast-paced events, and incredible athletes competing, you're definitely going to want to curl up and watch Team USA take on the Winter Olympics. Minnesota native Jessie Diggins is currently the most decorated US cross-country skier, male or female, in world championship history. Her enthusiastic personality will make you fall in love with her, both on and off skis. Here are six things you need to know about this gold medalist as she competes in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
She's Already a Gold Medalist
She and teammate Kikkan Randall became the first US cross-country skiers to take home the gold medal in the freestyle team sprint at the world championships in Italy in 2013.
She Is the (Unofficial) Team Choreographer
This Olympic star took dance classes for 10 years, but now only shows off her moves in Instagram and Facebook videos with her teammates.
She Enjoys Spending Time in the Kitchen
Though she keeps her diet simple with fresh fruits, veggies, complex carbohydrates, and protein, she told NBC Olympics that she loves cooking up meals from fellow Olympian Shalane Flanagan's cookbook Run Fast, Eat Slow.
Glitter Is Her Favorite Race-Day Accessory
Jessie doesn't start a race without a little glitter. Known as the team's resident "glitter fairy," Jessie accessorizes herself and her teammates with glitter as a prerace ritual.
She Makes Time to Give Back
Jessie is an ambassador for Fast and Female, an organization founded by her friend and Canadian skier Chandra Crawford to empower young girls to love their bodies and who they are through sports.
She Has a Green Thumb
Jessie told NBC Olympics that one of her favorite hobbies is growing tomatoes and basil with her mom in their garden.
For more on Jessie, visit Team USA. The Winter Olympics will air live beginning Feb 8.