Under 23 Questions: Sofia Shomento

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 18-year-old Sofia Shomento, of the Dartmouth Ski Team, who represented the U.S. at her first Junior Worlds. 

Last week in Goms, Shomento qualified for the freestyle sprint in 26th and went on to place 23rd overall, and finished 58th in the 10 k skiathlon.

***

“My full name is Sofia Shomento, but you can call me Sof.

I was born and raised in Bozeman, Montana, and I learned to ski at Bohart Ranch with the Bridger Ski Foundation.

I spent the time between U.S. nationals and Junior/U23 Worlds catching up with classes and skiing with my teammates.

The funnest workout I did in the last training year to prepare for this was running 121 laps (about 14 miles) around the homecoming bonfire with my class of 2021 teammates.

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

One difference I’ve noticed between Switzerland and the U.S. is the snow banks are much taller here!

Skiing and racing in the Alps is breathtaking. Usually racing at altitude is fun for me because I grew up racing in the West. 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 meeting new people from around the world.

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’s the secret?”

My favorite thing at the breakfast where we are staying is the fresh bread, cheese, and jam.

Fondue is yummy. The cheese here is delicious. And the chocolate is life changing.

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

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