Tag: cross country skiing

Watch: U.S. skier Jessie Diggins caps off historic Olympic career with heroic finish

[ad_1]

Watch: U.S. skier Jessie Diggins caps off historic Olympic career with heroic finish

Updated: 1:46 PM EST Feb 22, 2026

Editorial Standards ⓘ

Above video: American Jessie Diggins finished 5th in women’s 50km classic, her final Olympic race. Can’t view the above video? Click here.U.S. cross-country skier Jessie Diggins cross the Olympic finish line one final time on Sunday.After 15 years competing on the world stage, Diggins placed fifth in the 50-kilometer race at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, missing out on a bronze medal by only a few seconds.The race marked her final Olympic appearance, capping a career that reshaped American cross-country skiing and established her as a model of grit and resilience.The 34-year-old made history at the 2018 PyeongChang Games, teaming with Kikkan Randall to win the first Olympic gold medal in cross-country skiing for the United States. She added to her medal haul in Beijing four years later with a silver and a bronze.At the 2026 Games, Diggins again reached the podium, earning bronze in the 10-kilometer interval start despite battling painful rib bruising from a crash in her opening race.While her Olympic journey has come to an end, Diggins’ career is not over just yet. The most decorated cross-country skier in U.S. history leaves Italy with her focus still firmly set on the remainder of the World Cup season.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

Above video: American Jessie Diggins finished 5th in women’s 50km classic, her final Olympic race. Can’t view the above video? Click here.

U.S. cross-country skier Jessie Diggins cross the Olympic finish line one final time on Sunday.

After 15 years competing on the world stage, Diggins placed fifth in the 50-kilometer race at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, missing out on a bronze medal by only a few seconds.

The race marked her final Olympic appearance, capping a career that reshaped American cross-country skiing and established her as a model of grit and resilience.

The 34-year-old made history at the 2018 PyeongChang Games, teaming with Kikkan Randall to win the first Olympic gold medal in cross-country skiing for the United States. She added to her medal haul in Beijing four years later with a silver and a bronze.

At the 2026 Games, Diggins again reached the podium, earning bronze in the 10-kilometer interval start despite battling painful rib bruising from a crash in her opening race.

While her Olympic journey has come to an end, Diggins’ career is not over just yet. The most decorated cross-country skier in U.S. history leaves Italy with her focus still firmly set on the remainder of the World Cup season.

[ad_2]

Source link

February 22, 2026
5 stunning state parks to explore in Door County, Wisconsin

[ad_1]

Door County, Wisconsin, may be famous for cheese curds and tart cherries, but its true magic lies in the outdoors. Nestled between Lake Michigan and Green Bay, this slender peninsula is home to five state parks—each with its own personality, scenery, and seasonal charm.

Whether you’re a casual hiker, stargazer, paddler, or snowshoer, Door County’s parks offer a refreshing escape in every season. Here’s a look at five standout parks and what makes each one worth the trip.

Newport State Park: Stargazing and Solitude

Where Lake Michigan whispers and the cosmos answers—Newport’s night sky is pure wilderness wonder.

Located at the northern tip of the peninsula, Newport State Park is Wisconsin’s only designated International Dark Sky Park. On clear nights, the stars feel close enough to touch—perfect for astronomy buffs or anyone craving quiet wonder.

By day, explore 30 miles of hiking trails, paddle along Lake Michigan’s shoreline, or picnic beneath towering pines. In winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing offer peaceful ways to explore the snowy forest.

Peninsula State Park: Bluffs, Beaches, and Big Views

Two friends, one view—soaking in the sweep of Green Bay from Eagle Tower’s lofty perch.

Often called Wisconsin’s most complete park, Peninsula State Park has it all: rocky bluffs, sandy beaches, forested trails, and even a golf course. The park hugs Green Bay with eight miles of shoreline and dramatic views from the Niagara Escarpment.

Visitors can hike, bike, boat, camp, and even catch a musical at the Northern Sky Theater. Don’t miss Eagle Tower—a 60-foot accessible observation deck with panoramic views of the bay and surrounding islands.

In winter, the park transforms into a snowy playground with sledding, tubing, and cross-country skiing.

Curious why Peninsula is often called Wisconsin’s most complete park? From bluff-top views and beach days to historic lighthouses and forest trails, there’s more to explore than meets the eye. Dive into our full guide to Peninsula State Park.

Potawatomi State Park: Trails with a Glacial Story

Golden hush over Sturgeon Bay—Potawatomi’s autumn canopy glows with quiet magic.

Located in Sturgeon Bay, Potawatomi State Park is home to the eastern terminus of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. This 1,000-mile trail traces the edge of Wisconsin’s last glacier, and Potawatomi’s segment offers a scenic introduction.

The park’s limestone cliffs and forested hills make it a favorite for hiking, biking, and paddling. Winter visitors enjoy snowmobiling, skiing, and ice fishing. With eight miles of off-road biking trails, it’s also a great spot for cyclists looking for a challenge.

Rock Island State Park: Ferry Adventures and Lighthouse Views

Lake Michigan unfolds below—Pottawatomie Light stands watch from Rock Island’s rugged northern bluff.

Getting to Rock Island is half the fun. First, take the Washington Island Ferry across Death’s Door—a strait with over 275 shipwrecks. Then hop aboard the Karfi Ferry to reach Rock Island, where no vehicles are allowed.

Once there, hike ten miles of trails, tour Wisconsin’s oldest lighthouse, and enjoy primitive camping under the stars. It’s a rugged, rewarding escape for those who love remote adventures.

Tip: Grab a bite at Jackson Harbor Soup before boarding the ferry. Their hot soups and fresh sandwiches are a local favorite.

Want to make the most of your time on Washington Island before heading to Rock Island? From scenic drives and hidden beaches to quirky museums and local eats, we’ve mapped out the best adventures. Explore our full guide to the island.

Whitefish Dunes State Park: Sand, Forest, and Soul-Soothing Views

Shoreline locked in silence—Lake Michigan’s icy lace clings to the shore at Whitefish.

On the peninsula’s eastern shore, Whitefish Dunes State Park protects Wisconsin’s fragile dune ecosystem. Boardwalks and forest trails lead to Old Baldy—the state’s tallest dune—and offer stunning views of Lake Michigan and Clark Lake.

The park’s nature center features exhibits on ecology, archaeology, and shipwrecks. While camping isn’t allowed, visitors can hike, swim, paddle, and picnic. In winter, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing reveal a quieter side of the dunes.

Plan Your Door County Escape

Whether you’re chasing fall foliage, spring blossoms, or snowy solitude, Door County’s state parks offer something for every season—and every kind of explorer. From ferry rides and forest hikes to stargazing and shoreline strolls, these parks invite you to slow down and savor the moment.

Want to go a little deeper? We’ve put together a broader overview of Door County’s parks that includes seasonal tips, insider highlights, and one bonus park you won’t want to miss.

[ad_2]

Source link

September 6, 2025
Missing snow has made staging World Cup cross country ski race a steep climb in Minnesota

[ad_1]

MINNEAPOLIS — The long road of bringing the World Cup in cross country skiing back to the U.S. has hit one final speed bump: the Minnesota weather, or lack thereof.

With the Twin Cities metro area on pace for the least snowy winter on record, organizers have been on a determined and frantic mission to save the machine-made course at Theodore Wirth Park in Minneapolis for the sprint and 10-kilometer races scheduled for Feb. 17-18.

With 10 nerve-wracking days to go, about 40 volunteers skied along the path to carefully lay down blankets on Wednesday in order to protect the course from forecasted rain on Thursday. The high temperature in Minneapolis on Wednesday was 51 degrees — nearly double the average.

“At this moment, it does not look ideal,” said Claire Wilson, executive director of the Loppet Foundation that is staging the first U.S. stop on the World Cup tour since 2001.

The International Ski Federation (FIS) gave formal go-ahead last week after assessing the course conditions, a sigh of relief for all involved.

With weekend high temperatures expected in the low 30s, far more normal for this time of year, the snow-making machines are queued up for the next round of fresh powder. During an extended stretch of below-freezing weather in mid-January, crews stashed away as much as they could, and reinforcements — 28 truckloads in all — were harvested and hauled in from a nearby ski jump, Wilson said.

“We’re all crossing our fingers and toes,” she said.

World Cup skiers are accustomed to racing in less-than-ideal conditions, as a warming planet has contributed to a shrinking snowpack in cross country skiing hotbeds where natural snow has long been a fixture of winter.

The World Cup was originally slated to come to Minneapolis in 2020, before that event was nixed by the pandemic. Those races were supposed to take place in mid-March. When Wilson took the job after that, she pushed to put the rescheduled tour stop earlier on the calendar. The 2022-23 winter, of course, was the third-snowiest on record for the Twin Cities.

“It’s hard to fathom where we were last February,” Wilson said. “We’re worried about the event, but we’re also using the event and always have used it as an opportunity to talk about sustainability and to shine a light on protecting our winters, because this is the case now: They’re not reliable.”

Minnesota native Jessie Diggins, who played a significant role in bringing the World Cup to her home state, has worked with the advocacy group Protect Our Winters on the issue of climate change.

“Yes, this is a problem, yes, it’s manmade, and yes, we have to fix it,” Diggins said.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

[ad_2]

By Dave Campbell | Associated Press

Source link

February 10, 2024