Winthrop’s Sadie Bjornsen, Alaska’s Kikkan Randall, and the United States took fifth in the women’s 4x5 kilometer cross-country skiing relay Saturday earning the U.S. its best Olympic relay finish.
The U.S. has not medaled in cross-country skiing for 42 years.
“That’s our best finish, and it’s important to recognize that,” Bjornsen said. “Sure, we’re going to dream about medals, and it’s going to keep us going, but in the meantime we’re going to cherish the stuff that we just made.”
The European teams came out red hot, and the U.S. fell about a minute behind the Olympic Athletes from Russia, which was in the lead. Sophie Caldwell skied the first leg, and when Bjornsen took over for the second leg, the U.S. was in 10th place.
“It was a tough leg for me,” Caldwell said. “The pace started out really hot, and I got a little tired, so I didn’t come in tagging off exactly where I wanted.”
Bjornsen, Randall, and anchor Jessie Diggins made up ground, but the hole was too big.
Norway won gold, anchored by Marit Bjorgen, who moved into a tie as the most decorated Winter Olympian of all time. Bjorgen has won seven Olympic gold medals, which is the most by an Olympic cross-country skier.
Sweden took silver, and the Olympic Athletes from Russia won bronze.
The U.S. women will compete in the team sprint Wednesday.
“We know there’s more to come, but I’m just really proud of this team,” Diggins said.
