Hello! My name is Victoria Gelbjerg-Hansen. I’m 16 years old and an alpine ski racer.
I started skiing at age three near where we live in Les Paccots, and then began skiing in Morgins. From there, I joined the ski team and skied with Morgins until I was 12. I then joined Ski Valais for four years.
Now, I’m in my second year of FIS (International Ski Federation) racing.
EN FRANCAIS
What inspired you to pursue skiing at a high level?
Honestly, I think it happened naturally. When I was selected to join Ski Valais, I realised competitive skiing was something real I could pursue seriously. From then on, I started setting long-term goals and really focusing on my skiing.
Can you describe your typical training during the ski season?
It varies depending on the day. On weekends, we start training around 9:00 and continue until about 12:30. That usually includes a one-hour warm-up, often using techniques like tying an elastic around our ankles to help keep our feet close together. Following this, we do course inspections and then about six runs depending on the specific training goals.
On school days, I take Thursday mornings off to train. We start at 8:00 so I can get back to school earlier. The session is typically shorter, with fewer runs to manage fatigue.
What kind of training do you do in the off-season to stay in shape?
During the summer, I follow a strict regimen from Monday to Friday, even though it’s not ski season.
Mondays and Fridays are weight training days. Wednesdays and Thursdays are for cardio. Thursdays in particular are dedicated to sprints and jump-based exercises. This routine keeps me in shape and helps prevent injuries once the ski season begins.
How do you mentally prepare before a race, especially on challenging courses or against tough competition?
I keep a positive mindset and try not to focus on what could go wrong, like the competition or the difficulty of the course. Sometimes the course can be icy or the weather bad, so I make sure I’m familiar with each turn.
Knowing the course well makes me feel confident and keeps me focused.
What role does nutrition play in your training and performance? Do you follow any specific dietary guidelines?
I don’t follow a strict diet, but I’m mindful of what I eat, especially in the mornings. I try to have a light breakfast so it doesn’t weigh me down while skiing.
My coaches don’t enforce any particular diet, but we talk about nutrition in general.
How has Haut-Lac School's student-athlete programme helped you balance skiing and academics?
The student-athlete programme has been very supportive, especially when I miss school for camps or competitions.
The teachers help by sending me assignments in advance or updating me on what was covered in class. They’re understanding if I can’t finish everything on time, which makes it easier to manage both schoolwork and training.
What has been your most memorable race or competition so far, and why?
My most memorable race was last year in Norway at the Danish Championships.
It was my first FIS season, and I competed in the Super-G event on an icy, challenging slope. It was different from anything I’d done before and I didn’t expect to do well, but I ended up finishing strong.
That race left me with a really good feeling.
Do you have a preference between slalom, giant slalom and other events? How do you approach each type?
I definitely prefer slalom.
I love focusing on technique, and in slalom, every little detail counts such as how much angle you apply, how close your feet are, keeping your upper body stable. Each of these things can save milliseconds.
For speed events, though, it’s more mental. You need to know every gate, be confident and recognise that you’re hitting speeds of up to 110 km/h. If I feel fatigued in training, I always stop because safety is a priority in these events.
What are the biggest challenges you face in alpine ski racing? How do you handle high-pressure situations?
As one of the youngest in the FIS category, I compete against racers up to age 30 with years more experience.
Initially, it was tough and I felt pressure seeing the time differences. However, I’ve learned to focus on my own progress and view it as a long-term journey rather than worrying about immediate results.
Can you describe a time you faced adversity during a race, and how you handled it?
Last year, I often struggled with the first run in races, especially when it didn’t go well.
Sometimes I felt like I wasted the day, which affected my performance. I had to remind myself that it’s okay not to finish every run.
Now, I aim to do my best in the first run, but if things don’t go as planned, I know there’s always the next race.
How do you stay focused and maintain control at high speeds, especially in very technical courses or in difficult conditions?
Well, like I mentioned before, I make sure I do a thorough inspection of the course and know everything that's coming up.
Even if the weather conditions aren’t great and visibility is low, if I've studied the course well, I’ll know where each gate is and that makes all the difference. It allows me to stay in control and remain focused, no matter how challenging it gets.
How important is equipment in your performance, and how do you ensure it’s properly tuned?
I only realised recently just how important equipment is.
We were training on ice on a recent camp in an indoor dome. I rotated between two pairs of skis every three runs for a two-hour session. At the end of each rotation, it was clear there were no edges left on the skis.
I also wax my skis regularly and we use a different wax depending on the temperature and the stage of the season. My dad helps with tuning at home, and our trainer handles it on camps.
Proper equipment makes a huge difference.
What’s the most important technique you focus on in challenging conditions?
Core strength and stability are key, especially for technical courses.
In slalom, if your core isn’t engaged, the course controls you instead of you controlling it. I also focus on keeping my feet close together for better control and efficiency.
How do you manage the physical wear and tear of skiing, particularly on your knees and back?
I’m fortunate not to have had any major injuries. I prioritise warming up well before each session to avoid strains or other issues.
Do you incorporate mobility workouts like yoga or Pilates into your routine?
No, not currently. Although this is something that might be useful to incorporate in the future..
What is going through your mind during a race?
Once I start, all I focus on is getting down the course as quickly as possible. The mental preparation happens before, so by the time I’m on the course, I know every turn and gate. I don’t have time to think about much else.
What are your goals for this season, and what are your long-term aspirations?
This season, I want to reach 100 points. I’m currently at 120.
Next season, I’m aiming for 60 points. I don’t necessarily know where I want to be in five years, but I hope to be competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
What’s a specific technique you’re working on improving?
Right now, I’m focused on keeping my knees parallel in turns. On my left turns, I sometimes don’t apply as much angle, so I’m working on that.
Who has been the biggest influence on your skiing career, and what’s the best advice they’ve given you?
My parents have been my biggest supporters.
My mum pushes me to balance both skiing and academics, while my dad inspires me with his own skiing experience. He’s been to every race, drives me to training, and before every race, we fist-bump.
What advice would you give a younger athlete who wants to pursue alpine skiing?
Sometimes things won’t go as planned, whether it’s in one race or several. But it’s important to stay positive and not give up, because with patience and persistence, you’ll see progress.
Do you have any pre-race routines or superstitions?
Definitely!
I do 20 side planks, 10 push-ups, and put snow on my legs.
Just before a race, I double fist-bump my dad and we say, “It’s better to burn out than to fade away.” That routine makes me feel ready to race.
Reece Eagle
Haut-Lac Student-Athlete Coordinator
