Coaches Corner – Katie Hensien Earns First World Cup Ski Racing Points!

January 29, 2021/in Feeling Inspired, Keely's Camp Coaches/by Annie Rendall

Katie Hensien coaching at our Mt. Hood Ski Racing Camp for Girls, where she once was a camper!

Katie Hensien was an original Keely’s Camper back in 2011, and she returns each summer to coach at our Mt. Hood Ski Racing Camp for Girls. “Keely’s Camp has been instrumental in my success both as an individual and ski racer. It is an honor to be able to return as a coach to support a camp that has given so much to me.”

Katie, a current member of the US Ski Team, started her first World Cup, Killington in 2017 at the age of 16. Katie has earned top podium finishes on the NCAA D1 circuit, the NorAm circuit, and she earned a Silver Medal at the 2019 World Junior Alpine Championships in Val Di Fassa, Switzerland. Katie is also majoring in applied computer science with a minor in innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of Denver, where she is a member of the DU Ski Team.

Katie has had a very exciting 20/21 ski season thus far, winning the U.S. National Women’s GS Title in November at Copper Mountain, and earning her first World Cup points on January 3rd, 2021 in Zagreb, Croatia. Katie placed 18th in the Zagreb World Cup Slalom, earning herself 13 world cup points. Katie was also just named to the U.S. World Championship Team that will be racing Feb 8-21, 2021 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy!

We got to catch up with Katie and she shared some inspiring thoughts about her experience in Europe in January:

Katie Hensien, second from right, smiles with her teammates in Zagreb, Croatia.

How did it feel to gain your first world cup points?

“It was unreal! The amount of excitement and shock were so overwhelming at first, but I think deep knew it was possible I just had to go prove myself!”

What was your mindset going into the race?

“Coming into both Zagreb and Semmering I knew I was skiing fast, but I didn’t know how fast. So, my coaches, sport psychologist and I came up with a plan which was go ski your best and have fun. Crazy to think having fun and enjoying skiing actually helped me ski my best!”

What do you think contributed most to your successful result?

“I think this year with all its uncertainties and quarantine time, has given me time to really focus on my physical fitness as well as more snow prep time before the season. Which has allowed me to start over in a sense and help me focus/narrow down on what is important to me, which is skiing fast!

Can you share any words of wisdom for Keely’s Camp campers?

“Over my years of experience, I think the most valuable thing I’ve learned is “Trust the Process!” Not every day is gonna be the best day of your life or career but the best thing you can do is learn from your mistakes and your best achievement to help you work and move forward to go after those goals that seem impossible sometimes. As one of my idols says ” HARD WORK PAYS OFF” – Matt Fraser”

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Way to GO, Katie! Your Keely’s Camp community is routing for you!