Under 23 Questions: Ian Torchia

Ian Torchia (NMU/USST) crust cruising with Bernie Nelson (not shown) their second day in Goms, Switzerland. (Photo: Bernie Nelson)

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 21-year-old Ian Torchia, of Northern Michigan University (NMU) and the U.S. Ski Team D-team, who’s representing the U.S. at his first U23 Worlds.

On Friday, Torchia placed 27th in the 30 k skiathlon for his best finish of the week after finishing 32nd in the 15 k classic on Wednesday in Goms.

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“My full name is Ian Michael Torchia, but you can call me Torch.

I was born and raised in Rochester, Minnesota, and I learned to ski at Eastwood Golf Course.

I spent the time between U.S. nationals and Junior/U23 Worlds skiing and sleeping.

Ian Torchia (l) follows Kris Freeman on a downhill during the men’s 30-kilometer classic mass start at the 2018 U.S. Cross Country Championships in Anchorage, Alaska. Torchia went on to place 12th.

The dumbest workout I did in the last training year to prepare for this was a 6 hour OD with me, myself, and I.

This is my first time in Switzerland and third time racing internationally, and so far it’s been A1.

One difference I’ve noticed between Switzerland and the U.S. is lack of directions.

Skiing and racing in the Alps is beautiful. Usually racing at altitude is great for me because I’m a small guy. There are huge mountains around where I live (Marquette Mountain, Sugarloaf, Hogsback).

One of the things I’m most excited about for Junior/U23 Worlds in Goms is racing Russians.

One race I’m especially targeting there is 30 k skiathlon.

I really hope I can chat/make friends with someone from USA and ask them to steal Zak Ketterson’s white noise machine so I can sleep in silent peace.

My favorite thing at the breakfast where we are staying is granola, also for lunch and dinner.

Fondue is unavailable. The cheese here is Le Gruyere. And the chocolate is for my girlfriend.

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

The best way to follow me on social media is on Instagram @fullytorched.”