Speed. Speed. Faster. Faster. The repetition of this mantra is the only thing that goes through sophomore Emma Ivanov’s head during her alpine ski runs.
“I recently competed in alpine skiing in the events of slalom and giant slalom,” Ivanov said.
Her participation in the sport began when she was a child, and has only grown since then.
“When I was young, my dad wanted to take me skiing on the weekends, and that eventually developed into my love for the sport and competitions,” Ivanov said. “I started learning how to ski when I was four, and then I started club skiing when I was eight or nine,” Ivanov said.
Club skiing requires much more training, as competitions require a lot more preparation.
“I started my skiing lessons at Snoqualmie, and eventually I joined the Crystal Mountain Alpine Club where I did a year of competition prep,” Ivanova said. “Then, I competed in the two main races that season.”
Ivanova frequently placed in the top ten during her time at the Crystal Mountain Alpine Club, earning medals for her runs before moving onto the advanced program.
“After taking a break for COVID, I decided to move into the advanced prep program which I did for two years,” Ivanov said.
For the advanced program, competitions are more intense and have higher stakes.
“The competitions usually last two days: Saturday and Sunday,” Ivanov said. “I do two runs total, and at the end of the competition there is a ceremony and everyone in the top ten gets a medal.”
Ivanova showed improvement in her skill while in the advanced program, and started placing higher in competitions.
“When I was in the advanced prep program, the highest I placed was third, but I usually end up around fifth place,” Ivanov said.
Over the many years that Ivanova has been skiing, she has found a special community within the sport..
“My favorite thing about alpine skiing is the community that we have developed. I have made so many friends, and even when we aren’t competing, we are all free skiing and hanging out,” Ivanova said.
Skiing is a unique sport due to its versatility, and Ivanova believes that is what makes it special.
“Skiing is special to me because there is so much possibility and potential that comes with the sport,” Ivanov said. “When you’re on a ski run it is special because there is no one bothering me, and I can just go as fast as I can.”
This year, Ivanova will not be competing as much and she is taking a different approach to the sport.
“This next season I am taking on a role of coaching, and I will be a mentor for some of the younger racers,” Ivanova said.
Through this coaching role, Ivanova helps to be a mentor for young skiers like she once had when she was learning to ski.
