Under 23 Questions: Maya MacIsaac-Jones

In an effort to showcase the North Americans competing at this week’s International Ski Federation (FIS) 2018 Nordic Junior/U23 World Championships in Goms, Switzerland, we asked those qualifying athletes several questions about themselves — actually, we had them fill in the blanks. Here we have 22-year-old Maya MacIsaac-Jones, of the Canadian National U25 Team and Rocky Mountain Racers, who’s representing Canada at her second U23 Worlds.

On Monday, MacIsaac-Jones placed 18th overall in the women’s freestyle sprint on the first day of U23 World Championships, which is her first individual top 20 at the Junior or U23 World Championships level.

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“My full name is Maya Anna-Christina MacIsaac-Jones, but you can call me Maya.

I was born and raised in Athabasca, Alberta, and I learned to ski at our family’s farm (while imagining I was either Sara Renner or Beckie Scott).

I spent the time between Mont Sainte-Anne trials and Junior/U23 Worlds in Chelsea, Quebec, and then in Praz-de-Lys, France with Team Canada.

The strangest workout I did in the last training year to prepare for this was swimming intensity that included butterfly (a.k.a. trying not to drown).

This is my first time in Switzerland and fifth time racing internationally, and so far it’s been easier to adjust to jet lag.

One difference I’ve noticed between Switzerland and Canada is that the people here are fluent in so many more languages.

Skiing and racing in the Alps makes me feel like I’m in the Sound of Music. Usually racing at altitude is hard but manageable for me because I live and train at altitude in the summer. There are lots of mountains around where I live.

One of the things I’m most excited about for Junior/U23 Worlds in Goms is cheering on our speedy Juniors in the relay.

One race I’m especially targeting there is the skate sprint.

I really hope I can chat/make friends with someone from Team USA and ask them if the old Taylor really is dead.

My favorite thing at the breakfast where we are staying is the abundance of kiwis (the fruit, not the people).

Fondue is delicious. The cheese here is great. And the chocolate is to die for.

If I had a totally free day here and didn’t have to worry about race fitness or training, I’d spend it adventuring on skinny skis with a thermos of hot chocolate and some Brie & baguette.

The best way to follow me on social media is on Facebook (Maya MacIsaac-Jones), Instagram (@mayamacisaacjones), and Twitter (@_MayaMJ).”