Katie Hensien Wins Second Run in Sölden, AUT!

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When Keely’s Camp original camper and current US Ski Team Member Katie Hensien tore her ACL last season, we had no doubt that she would come back stronger and faster. And to say she did would be an immense understatement. This past weekend in Sölden, AUT at the first women’s world cup race of the season, Katie stunned the field- winning the second run landing herself in 4th overall! When we asked Katie to walk us through the day this is what she shared:

“Coming back from injury and having this be my first time racing on the Sölden hill I didn’t have a lot of expectations. I knew that I needed to execute a solid plan and that was to have a good first run so that I could qualify for the second run. My goal going into the day was to get top 30 and be of myself for all of the effort that has gone into my knee surgery and rehab so that I can be here starting a world cup race again. 

I knew I had to send it at the top and have a good line on the pitch so I could start letting it go and generate more speed on the flats into the finish. I remember crossing the line, hearing nothing, and worrying that it was not a good run but then I looked at the time and my placement and I couldn’t believe I got top 30. It felt very emotional and unreal that all of my hard work to get here is paying off.

I knew going into second run that I had to take advantage of the good snow and conditions so I took my time in the course inspection. I didn’t have a lot of nerves, I just knew I needed to execute my plan and trust my skiing. I felt very zen throughout the day which was crazy because it was such a high value race being the first world cup of the season. I really was able to execute the second run perfectly. It was as perfect as I could be and the best skiing I have accomplished in all my training this fall.

It is so cool to see what I can do with no expectations and how far the trust and belief I have in my body and my skiing can really take me. At the end of the day, believing in yourself is so important. When you are confident, the best skiing comes out. I haven’t totally absorbed what it all means, I just feel lucky enough to have experienced that and I am looking to all of the races we have left to go this season. I hope that I can keep riding this high and meet all of my goals this season.”

Keep cheering Katie on this season and check out the women’s world cup schedule HERE!