Estimated 40,000 Witness Cross Country Skiing World Cup at Wirth Park
Around 40,000 people came to watch hundreds of professional skiers race in Golden Valley last weekend.
For the first time in more than two decades, the 2024 COOP FIS Cross-Country World Cup was held in the United States. And it took place in our back yard: Theodore Wirth Park.
United States skiers had a great showing. Gus Schumacher won his first World Cup in the 10K Nordic race. For the women, Minnesota native Jessie Diggins finished third in the 10K race.
Crowds of people and volunteers cheer on skiers at the World Cup.
Loppet Foundation Executive Director Claire Wilson said it was a “magical” weekend. She said part of that was likely thanks to Loppet’s story as a nonprofit, which she said got people excited. Another piece was the hometown connection.
“People were just hungry to see Jessie Diggins ski in front of her friends and family. To see the U.S. ski team that has performed better this year than it has any other year in the history of the world cup racing,” Wilson said. “All the stars aligned.”
Plus, with the unusual winter weather, Wilson said the fact that the event happened was a miracle.
The event was held free of charge. Wilson said the economic impact is not yet known, but people from all 50 states and 21 countries came to the Twin Cities to spectate.
