University of Colorado Athletics
Fab Frosh Johansen Makes Quick Impact For Buffs
February 16, 2016 | Skiing
BOULDER — It would be easy to feel some pressure as a newcomer joining a 20-time NCAA national champion ski team.
But University of Colorado freshman alpine skier Ola Johansen feels only one thing: the opportunity for success.
“I don't like to lose,” said the Norway native. “And CU has the best ski team in the nation so it's the best fit.”
Johansen's home, which is about 4,500 miles northeast of Boulder, is settled in Baerum, Norway. His hometown is nestled around the mountain of Kolsås, known for its premier alpine skiing facilities.
“First time I tried alpine skiing I was 3 years old and I started training when I was 6,” said Johansen, who prior to CU started once in the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup in 2015.
The CU ski team is known for excellence. With 20 national titles over the years – the most recent coming last season – it has become a premier landing place for competitive skiers throughout the world.
It is no surprise that CU has acquired another great talent with Johansen, who has already seen plenty of success in his short time with CU.
“I knew I was skiing fast but I didn't expect to be as consistent as I have been lately,” Johansen said about the success he has had throughout recent competitions. “I haven't skied out once and almost every race I have been top five, which is something I am happy with.”
Consistent is an understatement. In his collegiate debut, Johansen finished second in a slalom at the Utah Invitational in early January and followed that up with a giant slalom victory two days later. He has four podium finishes in five giant slaloms this season, and including three slalom races, he has five overall podium appearances and hasn't finished lower than sixth in any race thus far.
“From the beginning I have always loved the sport and I still think it is the most fun thing to do in the world,” he said. “I love the excitement skiing down a hill as fast as you can and be able to travel the world at the same time.”
Success is no surprise to Johansen, who skied for the Doenski Alpine High School program in Norway. After graduating from Doenski in June 2012, he got the opportunity to ski for the Norwegian National Team for two seasons from 2013-15. Prior to his start at CU, he has had 31 podium appearances, nine of them being victories.
For Johansen, who has been skiing since he could walk, one would believe there might have come a time in his life where training became more tedious than exciting.
But the key to Johansen's continuous improvement is the simple fact he does not like to lose.
“I focus on enjoying every training session I have while getting the most out of every run I do,” he said.
After having a 27-day break since his last competition, he is now preparing for the New Mexico Invitational, which begins Feb. 20. But his eyes are looking ahead towards the RMISA Championships on Feb. 26-27, then the NCAA Championships in Steamboat Springs on March 9-12. CU is the host school for the championships.
“I'm focusing on keeping my goals simple for the rest of the season,” he said. “Keep being consistent with the racing and have fun.”
