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
![The hard work is paying off for the sprint!](http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/563168_473752109338581_292830352_n.jpg)
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.
![The USA 2008 Ski Mountaineering Team at the World Championships in Switzerland (very well organized by the way!)](http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DSC01044-1024x768.jpg)
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.
![Opening Ceremony of skimo World Champs in 2008 with my boys (then 2 & 4)](http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DSC00550.3-1024x768.jpg)
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.
![The Flower Ceremony (never would I have dreamed to be standing here)](http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/MAS_4376-1024x682.jpg)
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
![Start of the Womens Final](http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_1811.jpg)
![Nina starting off strong](http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P1030095-1024x768.jpg)
![charging in the kick turns](http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/MAS_43251-1024x682.jpg)
![Transition Zone to boot pack](http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/MAS_4335-1024x682.jpg)
![Nina giving it her best in the women's final](http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/528484_473751949338597_41677155_n-11.jpg)
![Downhill through the gates](http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/222708_473754099338382_266020460_n-1.jpg)
![Happy at the finish! Dreams coming to real life!](http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/859170_607897765902645_1865403947_o-1024x682.jpg)
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.
![This sport does bring me a smile](http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P1030050-768x1024.jpg)
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.
![Some of Team USA gals-McKenna Douglas, Janelle Smiley, Meredith Edwards & Nina at World Champs](http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/45830_10151465142765519_1810491792_n.jpg)
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.
![1st North American to Medal in a World Championships! A big thanks to Hammer Nutrition & helping Nina put the HAMMER down in the sprints!](http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_1846-764x1024.jpg)
![Keep your sparkle & follow your dreams](http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/photo-2-770x1024.jpg)
FasterSkier shares Nina’s historic medal. Click here to read more! l