U.S. cross-country skier Jessie Diggins started the new year just as she ended it: on top.
Diggins won Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski, which featured the women's and men's 20km pursuit classic competitions, on New Year's Day in Toblach, Italy.
In doing so, Diggins proved she's the best skier in the world and left her mark on Toblach for the last time, grabbing her eighth overall victory in Toblach and 11th Tour de Ski stage win of her career. The overall leader of the Tour de Ski finished the pursuit in 52:14.8 for her second win in four stages on the tour. The "pain cave" maven collapsed after the finish line for one final time in Toblach.
"It was a pretty lonely 20k, it felt like a long time. ... Just really motivated to make my last five laps around here in Toblach really special," Diggins said after the victory.
Sweden's Moa Ilar and Teresa Stadlober of Austria battled it out to the very end and jockeyed for the final two podium spots. Ilar edged out Stadlober by just 0.3 seconds for 2nd place and Stadlober clinched the final podium spot. Ilar finished the pursuit 1 minute, 35.2 seconds behind Diggins.
On the men's side, Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo dominated the 20km pursuit classic competition. The Norwegian finished the course in 46:01.7 and remains the overall Tour de Ski leader.
Norwegian teammate Mattis Stenshagen claimed 2nd and finished 51.1 seconds behind Klaebo. Edvin Anger of Sweden earned the final spot on the podium after he crossed the line 8.7 seconds behind Stenshagen.
Team USA's Gus Schumacher finished 6th after a win yesterday in the 5km heat mass start free.
After a rest day, the Tour de Ski continues in Val di Fiemme, Italy with the men's and women's sprint classic on Jan. 3.