University Ski racer Isac Hedstroem on the road to the F.I.S world cup

Meet Isac Hedstroem, born in Åre, Sweden. Ever since he was a young kid, he’s been known as a talent ski racer. At the age of 24, he is still dreaming of becoming an F.I.S World Cup skier

His skiing has always been intense and full of energy. Raised in a ski – loving family, his older brother Tobias was a member of the ski team Sweden alpine for a couple of years around 2020, now retired.

The first selection of ski talent in Sweden is made at the draft for ski high school. The most talented skiers in each cohort are selected to one of three different national schools.

Among those chosen ones, you will most certain find future national team members. For the 2016 class, Isac was chosen to one of those top high schools, Malung/Sälen.

Even though Isac Hedstroem always been at the top level in his age, he has been foreseen by the national team.

After Finnish high school in 2020, he became a member of the Klarna ski team, a private post high school team sanctioned by the Swedish ski federation.

In 2022, he started to strike podiums on regular bases in F.I.S competitions.

Collecting wins both in Sweden and abroad. Ending up 4th at the Swedish national championship in GS the same year.

With a solid performance and development throughout the season, he was hoping for a spot on the national team.

Once again, he’s hopes were in vain.

Late blooming ski racers have to be dedicated to find their own road to success.

22 years old and still a hungry skier but without a team.

And with poor funding.

Isac Hedstroem turned his eyes to the USA and college ski racing. He was in contact with several universities holding an alpine ski program. Finally, his choice fell on University of New Hampshire, in Durham, a one-hour drive north of Boston.

Isac, Why did you choose college ski racing?

-I wasn’t done with skiing, I wanted to continue ski racing. The Klarna Ski team was dissolved, and I was foreseen by the national team. 22 years old, college skiing was my only option.

How did you end up in Durham and the University of New Hampshire?

-One of my old schoolmates from Malung/Sälen, Lisa Olsson, was already here and recommended this school + I got a scholarship from UNH helping me out financial. It was the best choice out of my options.

College sport is a big thing in the USA, and first division schools are well known for their training facilities and support for their roster. I guess that you got all the possibilities for off-snow training, but Durham looks quite flat to me. How about on-snow training?

-You are right, we get all the help we need for off-snow training, the team even has its own strength coach. Durham is flat. However, it’s not far to some good east coast ski resorts like Proctor, Sunapee and Cannon mountain. During the winter, we can ski every day if we like.

East coast Skiing is not the first that comes to mind

Talking about skiing in the USA, as a Swede, the East Coast isn’t the first that comes to mind, and certainly not the ski areas you just mentioned.

-Well, East Coast snow is perfect for alpine ski racing, it’s hard packed. Sure, it’s not a powder paradise, but if you want to be a world-class ski racer, it’s perfect. Our home ski ground is Cannon mountain. (This is where Bode Miller grew up)* reds mark

You are in your junior year, third season in the USA. What’s the set-up skiing vise, is there a big difference from high school back in Sweden?

– There is a big difference, the tempo of study is much higher, for example. The number of days on snow is less as preseason training starts in mid-November. I just spent six days at Copper mountain in Colorado, that was our season kick-off. Right now, I’m in freezing cold Nakiska/Canada on the second training camp with my school. With our school team, we collect about 15–20 days on snow before the race season starts.

It’s an opportunity, not a dead end

You are the only Swede in your cohort at college right now, and almost the only male Swede over-all. Why do you think there are so few ski racers from Sweden take a chance to combine study and ski racing in the USA?

-Turning to College as a Swedish ski racer has been more or less a dead end. You disappear from the radar of the Swedish ski federation. I think, in contrary, It’s a good opportunity to carry on your carrier and develop as a skier and as a person. In Sweden, there is no way forward after high school if you are left outside the national team.

I have been following your development over the years, you have had a slow but steady development in terms of ranking over the years. Last winter was different, something happened. You won GS races on different levels, University, F.I.S and even Nor-Am. Starting the season in Beaver Creek last November with a Nor-Am, where you ended up in fifth place with bib number 53. Later on winning a Nor-Am in GS at Mont Ste-Marie in Canada. Climbing from rank 385 to rank 75 on the world ranking. You did certainly take a huge step forward. What happened?

-Last season, I found peace within myself. Realized that skiing was not everything. With the mental pressure gone, I could ski more relaxed. Also, I have gained a better understanding of my skiing and have a clear picture of what work I have to do to improve. I have matured as a skier and as a person.

Isac Hedstroem is now one of the top skiers in the world

Ranked 75 in the world and number three in Sweden at the end of last season, You must have been invited to the national team?

-No. I did reach out to the men’s coaches stating that I was interested in being part of the team. My new world ranking gave Sweden an extra starting position in the Europa cup. So I thought I might be in consider for at spot in the team. I did try to call and sent text messages. But it was a one-way communication, no one came back to me even to talk about it before the new team was announced. I was left out.

Why do you think they did not even bother to pic up the phone?

-Later, when the team was announced, I did get a hold of one of the coaches. Asking why I was overseen despite my results and ranking. I got the answer, that they thought I had given up on serious ski racing with my college carrier on thought. That’s the Swedish mindset about college skiing we were talking about earlier.

Well, we can only hope that this mindset will change in the near future so that the officials see the benefit of supporting Swedish college skiers. What’s this race season like?

-College races all take place in January and February, then it’s over. It’s intense. I will try to compete in all Nor-Am races, that’s why we were in Copper mountain for training, as the first races were set to take place there last weekend. Unfortunately, they were canceled.

The next level is the F.I.S World Cup

What about the F.I.S World Cup? You are ranked 76 in the world, number three in Sweden, and you are a winner in Nor-Am. The next level must be the F.I.S World Cup.

-Yes, I agree. I did reach out to the coaches of the national team. Asking to be invited to the intern qualification race that, I thought, was held to decide whom to start one of the three starting spots in Sölden. I had my own financing to go there. But my request was declined.

Why was that? It would not cost them anything to let you in to the try-out?

-I got the answer that they were holding on to their plan for Sölden. It turned out there was no try-out. The coaches had already decided whom within the national team to offer a starting position.

There is a strategy no one understands

Well, a new chance is coming up when the F.I.S world cup is coming to Beaver Creek in a few weeks. What did they say about your chances to challenge for a starting spot there?

-Negative. The answer I got was that their plan was only to send William Hansson as he was the only one taking points in Sölden. Despite, they have three starting positions, Sweden will only start with one racer. It’s a pity as I have a good feeling for that slope, this is the same slope I became fifth in the Nor-Am with bib number 53.

Ok, so the F.I.S world cup gate seems to be closed right now. What’s your next step forward, How do you gonna prove you are worthy of a spot on the prime scene?

-As the mindset among the officials is that Nor-Am is an easier tour than the Europa cup, despite they are of the same value when it comes to rankings and points. I guess it does not matter how I succeed in the Nor-Am. I need to prove my skills in the Europa cup. Furthermore, I’m hoping that the Swedish coaches are inviting me to use the starting spot I earned for Sweden via my ranking. If so, I’m prepared to go to Europe before Christmas.

How do you see your future in alpine racing, what’s your goal?

-I’m still striving for the F.I.S World Cup, I have two more seasons in the USA in college racing. Here I have a chance to develop in a team with dedicated coaches supporting me in all ways. For me, the decision to go to college is the best one I have ever done.

It’s a big task to reach the top end of ski racing

I’m getting there. I have to find my own way, and Felix Monsén is a big inspiration for doing just that. To find more snow days, I’m working as a coach for Vail ski club. They invited me to Argentina for summer camp. I help to coach their youngsters and I get to train myself as well. Pat Duran, who is their head coach, helps me with my development, I owe him a lot.

Before I let you go for your next training session, would you recommend college for young ski racers who are considering a future as a ski racer, back in high school in Sweden?

-Yes, for sure. As I said, this is the best decision I ever made. And college does not have to be the end och your ski carrier. Plenty of racers in the F.I.S World cup have a background in college skiing. And if it turns out to be the end, you have gained tons of experience and a university exam on top.

Thank you, Isac, for a nice chat and good luck to you this winter and beyond.