SVSEF XC Comp Team athlete, Sammy Smith, took 5th in the Individual Skate Sprint at Junior World Cross Country Ski Championships in Lygna, Norway on Sunday. She qualified 8th in the prelim then advanced through the quarters and semis into the final where she finished 5th.

SVSEF XC Post Grad Coach, Paul Smith, is at the Junior World Championships working with the U.S. Ski Team Staff in ski service support. He shared the following about Sammy:

“I think the most impressive thing from Sammy’s performance was her aggressive attitude, particularly the way she prepared mentally and skied the fast courses here in Lygna. Always watching, always learning. This was apparent with all our staff and even foreign coaches who took notice the way she handled pressure and the unknown; this being her first World Juniors at the age of 16 competing against many 18- and 19-year-olds who have ‘been there done that.’ To succeed at that level, you can’t have any fear of the outcome and that was one of the keys in her success. The best part for me just observing all of this was how much FUN she had.”

Smith added, “You have to look back quite far but I believe yesterday’s race might be the best female sprint result for the U.S. at a World Juniors.”