During the opening ski event of the Milano-Cortina Olympics, Jessie Diggins caused a chain reaction when she crashed along with fellow competitors, significantly affecting the performance of Finland's Vilma Nissinen. Experiencing the aftermath of this incident, Nissinen described how she attempted to avoid the fallen skiers, leading to her own struggle on the track. She mentioned that her ski got caught in the slushy snow, resulting in a downhill tumble that was both unexpected and unfortunate.

The collision first involved Nissinen's compatriot Vilma Ryytty, who narrowly avoided Diggins' crash. Ryytty noted that she had seen Diggins go down and was almost swept into the same path as the wreck. This harrowing experience highlights not only the individual challenges faced by the competitors but also the unpredictable nature of competitive skiing, especially in significant events such as the Olympics where pressure adds to the stakes.

The incident underlines the delicate balance of performance, risk, and the element of chance in sports competitions. As Nissinen reflects on the turmoil of the day, she expresses a feeling of embarrassment not only for her performance but also for the colliding moments that characterized the race. This event serves as a reminder of how quickly circumstances can change in sports, revealing both the skill and vulnerabilities of elite athletes like Nissinen and Diggins alike.