Fairbanksan David Norris is one of 10 skiers representing the U.S. for the Tour de Ski currently taking place in Europe. Fairbanksan Logan Hanneman is also there on the U.S. team.
In the men’s 15k mass start on Saturday, David was the top American finisher in 58th place. Logan finished 69th. Kevin Bolger, another U.S. Team member, was 64th. In the freestyle sprint on Sunday Logan was 20th with Kevin Bolger right behind in 21st.
David didn’t race in the sprints, but that means he was able to generously take some time to answer some questions we had for him. (We hope to have an interview with Logan, too.)
Q and A with David Norris
How do you feel about being selected for the Tour de Ski?
Photo courtesy of the APU Nordic Ski Center
It feels great to earn a spot for the Tour de Ski. I’ve wanted to race this event for the past few years so now that it is happening the excitement is super high.
How are you feeling? How do you feel physically? Where’s your head at?
I got sick two weeks ago in Davos and had to skip the World Cup, which made me a bit antsy to start the Tour. Physically I think I am in good shape. Saturday didn’t go well for me, but I’m putting my energy and good thoughts towards the next distance races in Toblach.
What are your goals for the Tour de Ski? And how do they fit in with your overall season goals?
I would like to finish the Tour inside of the top 30 overall standings. I don’t know how challenging that goal is as this is my rookie year in the Tour. Mainly, I hope to stay healthy then everything should work out. I should get a weekend off from racing following the Tour so I am optimistic that these set of races should boost my fitness once I recover. I am really looking forward to the 30km Skiathlon WC in Germany a couple weeks after the Tour.
What are you most nervous about at the Tour de Ski? What are you most confident about?
I guess I am most nervous about what is seemingly out of my control- just staying healthy. I will of course do everything in my power to take care of my health, but sometimes stuff just hits you hard. I feel confident going into the individual 15km Skate and the pursuit classic in Toblach. The hill climb is something I have never done so I am just excited, but don’t know what to expect.
Anything else you want to say or tell Fairbanksans?
I really appreciate the support I receive from Fairbanks and I feel fortunate to have grown up a member of the NSCF.
To find out more about David, check out his website at: http://www.norrisnordic.com/. To follow the US Ski Team at the Tour de Ski see: https://usskiandsnowboard.org/. David is also a member of the APU Nordic Ski Team: https://apunordic.com/programs/universityeliteteam/
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