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Cal Robinette grew up doing daredevil acts with his cousins. They ziplined for hours and had “tube wars” on the back of the boat. They jumped out of windows, threw themselves off cliffs, and climbed trees.
But it wasn’t until Saturday that Robinette got to see her cousin perform his signature trick for the first time in person.
Jesse Diggins’ relatives turned out in full force to witness her long-awaited return as a cross-country skiing superstar.
“I see her on video all over the world, but I don’t have the opportunity to travel to Italy, Russia or South Korea,” Robinette, 35, said. “She wouldn’t let this pass up for the world.”
Among the crowd of about 20,000 cheering Diggins on at Theodore Worth Park were about 30 family members who turned the World Cup event into a reunion. They came from Boston, Canada, Arizona, and St. Cloud.
“And then, of course,” said Diggins’ mother, Deb, “there are ski families almost throughout the St. Croix Valley.”
Diggins placed fourth in the women’s freestyle sprint, a favorite daughter of Afton, the most decorated American cross-country skier in history competing in her home state for the first time since 2011. It’s a chance to honor and celebrate.
From the qualifying heats to the finals, spectators were able to monitor Diggins’ races not only visually but also aurally. When he crossed the finish line and performed a victory lap, the course was filled with loud cheers.
Diggins’ husband, Wade Poplawski, hadn’t seen her since November because he was competing in Europe while Diggins was in the United States due to immigration issues. Poplawski arrived at the course Saturday morning, joined by a number of young girls with Diggins’ trademark glitter on their faces, and wearing a racing bib with his wife’s face on the front. I saw the fans.
“It was kind of overwhelming for me,” Poplawski said.
It’s overwhelming for her parents too. Deb and Clay Diggins have traveled all over the world to watch their daughter compete. They competed in the Olympic Games in Russia and South Korea, and World Cup competitions in Canada, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, Italy, and Austria.
Diggins’ parents spend Christmas with her in Italy, a tradition they keep every few years to accommodate her training and competition schedule. Her mother and daughter spend time together cooking, one of her favorite activities.
This time I didn’t need a plane ticket. It’s only a short commute by car.
“The biggest thing for us is not only being able to get in the car and go see her, but having all the people who have supported her, coached her, and cheered her on as she grew as a skier, all in attendance.” It’s something you can do,” Deb said. For the past few years, I’ve been waking up at 3 a.m. to watch the races online, but now they’re also coming to watch the races live. ”
Most of her family has followed her career by watching international races on their computers. The last time her uncle Peter Robinette attended her event in person was at the same venue, Worth Park, at the 2011 Junior Nationals.
Diggins was 19 years old. She is currently 32 years old and is an Olympic and World Cup champion.
“I am proud not only of her accomplishments, but of who she is.” [in racing]said Uncle Peter.
Families gathered near the VIP tent during the break before the quarterfinals. They took photos and shared memories. Uncles, aunts and cousins held signs that read “Team Diggins.”
“Obviously sometimes you feel like, ‘Oh, I have to win because everyone’s here watching,’ but that’s not the case,” Diggins said the night before the race. “I just need to go out and race as hard as I can.”
She once again showed her tenacity on the track, finishing just short of the podium in the sprint. She will compete in her personal best event, the 10km freestyle, on Sunday.
Winning the World Cup in her homeland would be another crowning achievement in her career. She was the driving force behind bringing this world-class event to the United States, her hometown, and her fans.
The crowd cheered her every move. A big roar. A longing roar. Nothing is more personal than the contributions from 30 of her family members who have known her since she was a child. They were loving members of Team Diggins long before she became a ski legend.
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