Jessie Diggins had secured the lead vest ahead of Monday’s chase start and went out seven seconds down on Victoria Carl. A gap that just grew, grew and grew.
During most of the race, the American drove completely alone in a way that brings the Swedish thoughts back to Johans Olsson’s five-mile race in Val di Fiemme in 2013.
And it was when the cameras focused on Diggins that the television audience got to hear something special from her. At first you could only hear gasps and moans, but as she got closer to the microphones along the track you could hear her talking to herself.
– I can do this, she said several times while pushing forward at high speed along the track.
Diggins’ words to herself: “Didn’t know she did that”
The move surprised Viaplay’s commentator duo Per Forsberg and Anna-Karin Strömstedt.
– Does she say that? It’s exciting in the mental game, says Forsberg
– Yes, she talks loudly to herself, says Strömstedt.
They were not alone in being surprised. Diggins’ teammate, Sophia Laukli, didn’t know Diggins did that.
– Yes? I had no idea she did. What does she say?
She says “I can do this”.
– Oh really. Yes, whatever works for you. I don’t have it in me to handle it.
Diggins’ explanation: “Was really shaken up”
There is actually one more who was surprised by this. And it was Diggins himself.
Not because she was talking to herself, but because it went out on air.
– Oh, I didn’t think that would be heard, she says and continues:
– But I was really shaken up after a crash in the warm-up. So that’s why I kept repeating to myself that I can do this – that I won’t fall.
Do you usually do that?
– It depends a little on what type of race it is.
Diggins eventually won by a crushing 46.5 seconds to runner-up Victoria Carl and 48.2 to third-place finisher Linn Svahn.
– This was a good start to the new year, says Diggins.
– It was really, really tough. I went out hard and stuck it out as long as I could. That was the tactic, to drive hard and finish with nothing left in me.
Now the Tour de ski moves on to Davos, Switzerland, where the competitions resume on Wednesday with a sprint.
2024-01-01 18:38:23
#Strange #behavior #middle #competition
