Under 23 Questions: Luke Jager

The U.S. men’s silver-medal relay on Saturday at 2018 Junior World Championships in Goms, Switzerland, with (from left to right) Luke Jager, Hunter Wonders, Gus Schumacher, and Ben Ogden. (Photo: Julia Kern)

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 18-year-old Luke Jager, of Alaska Pacific University (APU), who’s representing the U.S. at his first Junior Worlds.

Jager started his week by racing to 60th in the freestyle sprint then capped it off with a historic silver medal in the men’s 4 x 5 k relay on Saturday in Goms.

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“My full name is Luke Jager, but you can call me Gus Schumacher.

I was born in Redding, California, and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, and I learned to ski at Anchorage Junior Nordic League.

I spent the time between US. nationals and Junior/U23 Worlds reminiscing about beating Gus Schumacher at the season opener middle school race in 8th grade.

The funnest workout I did in the last training years to prepare for this was easy 30-minute shakeout run/walk with my thoughts.

Luke Jager (Alaska Pacific University) during a training day in Goms, Switzerland. (Courtesy photo)

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

One difference I’ve noticed between Switzerland and the U.S. is a lot less freedom.

Skiing and racing in the Alps is hard. Usually racing at altitude is hard for me because here is less air. There are hella mountains around where I live.

One of the things I’m most excited about for Junior/U23 Worlds in Goms is the gentle kiss of the swiss sun on my soft, tender skin.

One race I’m especially targeting there is junior men’s relay.

I really hope I can chat/make friends with someone from Alaska and ask them what it’s like there.

My favorite thing at the breakfast where we are staying is orange mango juice. Mom if you’re reading this please buy some thank you love you.

Fondue is yellow. The cheese here is also yellow. And the chocolate is not yellow.

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

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