Under 23 Questions: Ben Ogden

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 17-year-old Ben Ogden, (younger brother of Katharine Ogden) of the Stratton Mountain School, who’s representing the U.S. at his first Junior Worlds.

On Tuesday, Ogden raced to seventh place in the men’s 10 k classic, his first race at Junior Worlds.  

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“My full name is Benjamin Ogden, but you can call me Ben.

I was born and raised in The Grove, and I learned to ski at Wild Wings XC center.

I spent the time between U.S. nationals and Junior/U23 Worlds jibbing with Mathias.

The most important workout I did in the last training year to prepare for this was the Cochran’s Nordic Ski Cross with Asa Chalmers and Conor Munns.

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

One difference I’ve noticed between Switzerland and the U.S. is the time zone.

Skiing and racing in the Alps is huge. Usually racing at altitude is a welcomed challenge for me because I always undercook pasta. There are cute mountains around where I live.

One of the things I’m most excited about for Junior/U23 Worlds in Goms is jibbing with some Norwegians.

One race I’m especially targeting there is the skiathlon.

I really hope I can chat/make friends with someone from Jamaica and ask them about the Jamaican bobsled team.

My favorite thing at the breakfast where we are staying is the granola stuff that looks like coco crispies but is not and tastes terrible.

Fondue is strange. The cheese here is sometimes moldy. And the chocolate is delectable.

If I had a totally free day here and didn’t have to worry about race fitness or training, I’d spend it huckin backflips in the Swiss backcountry.

The best way to follow me on social media is on Instagram @ben.0gden.”