7 Things You Didn’t Know About Erik Bjornsen

Erik Bjornsen after winning the first race of 2014 U.S. Cross Country Championships, the 15 k classic individual start, on Jan. 4 at Soldier Hollow in Midway, Utah. It was the 22-year-old Bjornsen's second national title in as many years. — Erik Bjornsen after winning the first race of 2014 U.S. Cross Country Championships, the 15 k classic individual start, on Jan. 4 at Soldier Hollow in Midway, Utah. It was the 22-year-old Bjornsen’s second national title in as many years.

Fresh off a national title at 2014 U.S. Cross Country Championships, Erik Bjornsen flew to Europe, did a couple World Cup races in Poland and was officially named to the 2014 Olympic team shortly after. In his first Olympics, Bjornsen, 22, will be the second-youngest U.S. nordic skier in Sochi after teammate Jessie Diggins — and he’s headed there with his sister, Sadie, also on the team. But first, he and Diggins are racing at U23 World Championships, which start tomorrow in Val di Fiemme, Italy.

Athlete: Erik Bjornsen

Team: U.S. Ski Team; Alaska Pacific University (first Olympics)

Age: 22

Hometown: Winthrop, Wash.

Sadie Bjornsen and her younger brother Erik with their "Wax Ring" prizes after winning an Alaska Pacific University time trial earlier this month at Hatcher Pass near Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo: http://sadiebjornsen.blogspot.com) http://sadiebjornsen.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-final-countdown.html — Sadie and Erik Bjornsen while training with Alaska Pacific University at Hatcher Pass near Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo: Sadie Bjornsen/sadiebjornsen.blogspot.com)

7 Things:

Favorite city to have a layover: Seattle
Favorite drink: Hot chocolate
Most exciting games: Foosball and Sequence
Best role models: Mom and Dad
Least-favorite road in Anchorage: Tudor
Favorite very affordable truck: 1994 Ford Ranger
My favorite place: Methow Valley, Washington

Bonus Round:

Go-to mantra or motto: Life goes on, everything happens for a reason.
What do you miss most while on the road (besides family and friends)? My apartment on Alaska Pacific University campus.
Best part about being a pro athlete: Making friends all around the world.
3 travel essentials: 1. French to English Translator, 2. My neck pillow, 3. Stac It Up gloves
Go-to travel meal or food: PowerBars
Song you could listen to non-stop: “Same Love” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
Song you wouldn’t mind never hearing again: Drake’s new album