Winning a silver medal at the Ski Mountaineering World Championships in the sprint event is a dream come true for me. I have really focussed on the sprint this year and the hard work is paying off.

Nina happy to share the podium with (1)Mireille Richard of Switzerland and (3)Emile Forseberg of Sweden. A historic medal for Nina & North America

Never would I have imagined myself here 10 years ago when I  first moved to Europe and had not even tried randonee skiing. It was 6 years ago when I attended my first skimo worlds in Switzerland, just 2 years after my 2nd child and 1 year after starting the sport.

Unfortunately that year, I came down with strep throat and was unable to compete. My mom flew over from the States to watch and instead helped me with my 2 & 4 year old boys and nursed me with chicken soup. Needless to say it was a great intro into the sport itself and its potential worldwide.

Since then I have been to the 2010 world championships in Andorra and 2011 in Claut, Italy. I was remembering that the first year I merely had a goal to finish the races, so 3 years later, to stand on a world championship podium is really a dream for me and says a lot about how the sport has influenced my life.

For me this medal is a culmination of my own pursuit of personal excellence which I could not have done with out the support of so many on this journey; it is also a personal victory as a woman and a mother which has been inspired by many in my life: athletes, coaches, teachers, artists, family, friends and more.

Here are a few shots from the sprint race

 

I am very happy to have discovered  this sport that brings much joy and passion to so many here today and most importantly it brings me a smile.

I am dedicated to being an advocate for the sport of ski mountaineering, especially for women and to help create a ripple affect of passion for the sport world wide.

I will continue to strive to empower and inspire others, especially women and mothers to reach high for their own dreams and believe in the impossible.

FasterSkier shares Nina’s historic medal. Click here to read more! l