Annie Hart & Reese Hanneman: Introducing Toko Winter Warrior Collection and More

(Press release/e-blast)

USST Toko Athlete Sam Morse on What Makes a Champion

At just 20 years old, Morse’s maturity separates him from his peers. And, he’s so very kind. He is one of the most genuine humans this planet has to offer. The future is bright for this one, so make sure to follow him as he moves up the ranks on the Team. We asked Morse our three questions on what he believes makes a champion.

U.S. SKI TEAM: In your words, what makes a champion?
SAM MORSE: A champion wins with passion and loses with grace, and pours their heart, soul and everything they’ve got into a sport.

U.S. SKI TEAM: Do you remember the first time you felt like a champion?
SM: The first time I felt like a champion was racing in Maine, winning the Maine Alpine Racing Association season championship title as a J5. I thought, “Maybe I can really make something out of this whole ski racing thing.” It felt satisfying and propelling.

U.S. SKI TEAM: What is the biggest piece of advice you have for aspiring kids who want to be sitting where you are today?
SM: Give it all you’ve got and find enjoyment in striving for your own goals, rather than for the affirmation of others. Also, the best advice I’ve ever received was, “No one thing will make you the greatest, it is the sum of the parts that make a masterpiece.”

• Fun Facts:
  “Moose” is Morse’s childhood nickname, as there are more moose than people where he lives and they’re big, burly animals that are gentle yet very powerful.
• If he could be one inanimate object, he’d be water, because “you get to travel the globe, change physical states and always keep moving.”
• Go-to travel items are a deck of cards and a good book.
• His best friend on the team is fellow east-coaster Drew Duffy (Warren, VT), whom he grew up with racing in the Junior Olympics.
• Morse is a HUGE Boston Red Sox fan, and his non-skiing role model is Jason Varitek, catcher for Boston Red Sox through early-mid 2000s because he’s a man of faith and always worked hard day in and day out.
• Morse is involved with the Winter Special Olympics held at Sugarloaf each January, is a Sugarloaf Area Christian Ministry active church member and a rostered speaker for Camps Farthest Out (CFO) a Christian family camp organization.

Annie Hart: What is a Winter Warrior. Introducing the Toko Winter Warrior collection.

Arctic Split Mitt – for extreme cold weather

Profi – lightweight race

Thermo Plus – cold weather glove

Thermo Plus Biathlon
Thermo Plus Biathlon is the same as the Thermo Plus except it has reinforced seams around a serrated line on the shooting finger in case an athlete wants to cut the shooting finger to allow for a better feel on the trigger. The reinforced seams will prevent the cut from getting bigger and bigger.

Toko glove sponsored elite Cyclocross Rider Becca Fahringer has had a great season so far both domestically and in Belgium in the Super Prestige Cups. Not only is she really fast, but she also writes an entertaining and witty blog. Follow her at gofahr.com

There is snow on the valley floor in St Moritz, site of the Alpine World Championships this winter. For those that are as excited about these events as we are, it’s cool to see!