#112
Alpine skiing was the first competitive sport I ever participated in. Coming from an island where there are no ski slopes, it was a pretty big deal for me to even get the racing license.
I remember when I wore my bib number for the first time, the announcement was made to introduce me as a kid from Jeju, the crowd was going mad.
In alpine races, you are alone on the slope. I felt the spotlight on me and it made me feel like I was somebody.
From that point on, I attended many races and every time I went on the slope, people were checking my number as if they were saying that’s the kid from Jeju.
Eventually it started to put pressure on me. It felt like I had to meet the expectations of the people who were checking on my progress.
I wasn't enjoying it.
Then I stumbled across mountaineering, cross-country skiing and backcountry skiing.
In alpine skiing, you ride alone on a man-made slope, but in mountaineering skiing, you ski on naturally made tracks with other people. Maybe it suits me better because I am not a number.
#1047
Base miles and big-ring drills, diet and core strength sessions. Attention to detail in every aspect of training and racing life.
#6027
In amongst the masses of riders herded into the starting pens like cattle, ready to go on the ‘b’ of the bang.
#80
On the map, I’m just a dot from a GPS signal - a pair of coordinates and a ticking clock.
