Fanny Smith

"I HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT YOU NEED TO FOLLOW YOUR PASSIONS IN LIFE."

And she hasn’t stopped since.

Now a 2-time Olympic bronze medalist, 6-time World Championship medalist, and 3-time World Cup overall winner, Fanny’s career is the stuff of dreams – but it’s her consistency more than any medal that brings her joy. “I’ve ranked in the Top 3 for over a decade”, Smith explains. “You can maybe win a race with a bit of luck, but to be successful in the long term, it’s not about luck: It’s a reflection of all the work I put in over a really long period of time.”

GET TO KNOW

FANNY SMITH

OFF-PISTE WITH THE CHAMPION

MY WORDS TO LIVE BY

Passion. Courage. Integrity. I think these words describe me well and reflect the way I try to live my life.

Passion: I have always believed that you need to follow your passions in life. I have been able to make a career from skiing, but I have many other passions that I try to integrate into the things I do.

Courage: To succeed, you have to dare to step outside of your comfort zone. This is true with ski racing, but also life, so always have courage.

Integrity: I believe that integrity in any situation is essential to guide us through life.

HOW I OVERCOME CHALLENGES

For me, coming out of a low point is about having a goal in mind, making a plan, and doing everything I can to make it happen. Knowing what you are working towards and why you are doing it helps to reduce the pressure.

WHEN I'M NOT SKIING

Since I spend so much time away from home, I love to spend time with my friends and family when I’m not racing or training. But I still like to stay active and spend time outdoors, so I’m always in nature, even when relaxing.

MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW

I’m a really bad singer. Most people don’t know this because I’m so bad that I try not to sing in front of anyone!

MY GOALS MOVING FORWARD

Staying healthy, skiing as best as I can, and always improving. The biggest challenge for me after all these years is staying motivated, so this is something I’m working on. I am still very passionate about skiing and I know what I need to do to stay on top, but I need to keep pushing myself and taking some risks to stay fresh and motivated.

MY BEST ADVICE

Follow your dreams, but also set realistic goals and stay curious. Progress comes from questioning – both yourself and others. Don’t be afraid to question your training approach or the path you take to reach your goals. Questioning helps you grow. To be the best, you always have to ask, how can I do this better? How can I improve? Or, do I need to make changes to get there? Dreams are not enough to be successful: it’s hard work, and asking questions every day can help you find the answers.