Yeah, if she was going to do the Birkie close to her prime (which as you alluded to on a personal level was super important to her) it had to be in this, a non-championship year. She really does care about her Midwest USA roots and I know it might seem crazy to a European but I'm pretty sure to Jessie it's a fair tradeoff this season. Good post though as usual. So far Jessie looks to be more than rising to the challenge.I think it was very stupid to do the Birkie (when WC overall the big prize, but to be fair to Diggins Kershaw had a very good explanation as to why it on a personal level made a lot of sense for Diggins to do the Birkie) and thats the main reason she was very bad in Lahti and lost a lot of points there.
Then I think it’s hard to read to much into her form since Lahti. Classic sprints in Drammen and Falun are hard for the type of skier she is. Good results in these for a skier with the profile of Diggins are maybe more dependable on the skis and how the heats are being raced and the positioning than form.
With questionable form and difficult conditions it can really go both ways today.