Ogden, Schumacher grab silver for U.S. in Olympic cross-country team sprint, Diggins falls short

"CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy U.S. cross-country skiers Ben Ogden and Gus Schumacher the strongest pair of U.S. male skiers ever to race in the men's Olympic team sprint broke through Wednesday afternoon in Val di Fiemme, Italy, capturing an unprecedented silver medal. The result builds on Ogden's history-making silver medal finish last week - the first time a U.S. man had reached the podium in an Olympics since 1976. As expected, the Norwegian team led by Johannes Klaebo captured gold."

"On the women's side, U.S. cross-country ski legend Jessie Diggins and Julia Kern fell short of a medal in the women's team sprint, finishing in 5th place. Diggins kept pulling the U.S. into range for a possible bronze or even a silver medal, but Kern's pace couldn't keep them in position for the podium. Sweden led by powerhouse skier Jonna Sundling took gold, with Switzerland winning silver and Germany bronze."

"Eight years ago, at the Winter Games in South Korea, Diggins made history in this event, capturing the gold medal along with then-teammate Kikkan Randall. It was the first time in decades that a U.S. cross-country skier had reached the podium in the Olympics, and America's first-ever gold in the sport. That win set Diggins, 34, on a barrier-shattering run that now includes four Olympic medals. She's announced that she'll retire from professional cross-country skiing after one more competition next month in Lake Placid, N.Y."

Ben Ogden and Gus Schumacher captured a silver medal in the men's Olympic team sprint in Val di Fiemme. Ogden earned a prior silver the previous week, the first U.S. male Olympic cross-country podium since 1976. Johannes Klaebo of Norway won gold, his fifth gold at these Games and tenth career Winter Olympic gold, while Italy took bronze led by Federico Pellegrino. Jessie Diggins and Julia Kern finished fifth in the women's team sprint; Diggins repeatedly moved the U.S. into contention but Kern could not maintain the pace. Diggins won Olympic gold eight years ago, holds four Olympic medals, and plans to retire after one more competition in Lake Placid. Both Ogden and Schumacher are expected to enter the men's 50-kilometer race, and Diggins and Kern are expected to enter the women's 50-kilometer, the first Olympics with equal endurance distance for women.

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