![U.S. Nordic Combined's Ben Loomis (45) racing at the World Cup in Lillehammer, Norway, in December 2016. (Photo: Katja Diegler)](http://fasterskier.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2017/01/15392870_10210812436927903_1354869428802045678_o.jpg")
In an effort to showcase the North Americans competing at this week’s International Ski Federation (FIS) 2017 USANA Nordic Junior World Championships and U23 Cross Country World Championships at Soldier Hollow in Midway, Utah, we asked those qualifying athletes several questions about themselves — actually, we had them fill in the blanks. Here we have 18-year-old Ben Loomis, of the U.S. Nordic Combined Team, who’s representing the U.S. at his third Junior Worlds.
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“My full name is Benjamin Loomis but you can call me Sawyer. I was born in Eau Claire, Wis., raised in Eau Claire, and one thing you should know about my hometown is it does in fact have ski jumps.
![Ben Loomis (U.S. Nordic Combined) jumping at the World Cup in December 2016 in Lillehammer, Norway. (Photo: Sandra Volk/FIS)](http://fasterskier.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2017/01/15272181_1330955486946720_3852855863652269036_o.jpg")
I started skiing when I was two and jumping when I was five, thanks to my older brother Adam getting me into the sport. I currently train in Park City, Utah, with the US Nordic Combined Team.
If I’m not skiing, you might find me exploring on my bike. If I had to pick a favorite book, it would be whatever holds my attention.