Under 23 Questions: Hannah Halvorsen

In an effort to showcase the North Americans who competed at last 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 19-year-old Hannah Halvorsen, of Alaska Pacific University (APU), who represented the U.S. at her second Junior Worlds. 

Last week in Goms, Halvorsen placed eighth in the freestyle sprint, 22nd in the 5 k classic, and eighth with the U.S. women’s 4 x 3.3 k relay.

***

“My full name is Hannah Halvorsen, most people just call me Hannah.

I was born and raised in Truckee, and I learned to ski when I was two.

I spent the time between U.S. nationals and Junior/U23 Worlds prepping for worlds.

The hardest workout I did in the last training year to prepare for this was intervals with APU.

This is my first time in Switzerland and fifth year racing internationally, and so far it’s been good.

One difference I’ve noticed between Switzerland and the U.S. is everything’s smaller.

Skiing and racing in the Alps is beautiful. Usually racing at altitude is comfortable for me because I grew up at altitude. There are also beautiful mountains around where I live.

One of the things I’m most excited about for Junior/U23 Worlds in Goms is the opportunity to race internationally.

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

I really hope I can chat/make friends with someone from Norway and ask them what their secret is.

My favorite thing at the breakfast where we are staying is the liver.

Fondue is not the best pre-race meal. The cheese here plentiful. And the chocolate is abundant.

If I had a totally free day here and didn’t have to worry about race fitness or training, I’d spend it skiing.

The best way to follow me on social media is my Instagram @hannah.g.halvorsen or my twitter @realDonaldTrump.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BedxnOGFMfi/?taken-by=hannah.g.halvorsen