Annika Malacinski is an American Nordic combined athlete. She was born in Steamboat Springs, Colorado USA. But for twelve year she lived in Finland. She started Nordic Combined when she was 16 years old. Earlier she use to do gymnastics. She took part in her first international Nordic Combined event at the FIS Youth Cup in Oberstdorf.
Achievements of Annika Malacinski
US Championships:
Gold 2019 Park City Mass start
Silver 2021 Park City Gundersen
Gold 2022 Lake Placid Gundersen
Finnish Championships:
Gold 2019 Kuopio Gundersen
Gold 2021 Helsinki Gundersen
Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar in a candid interview with Annika Malacinski, an American Nordic combined athlete here she talks about her fitness regime, diet, and her success story.
Namita Nayyar:
Where were you born and had your early education? You used to do gymnastics and at the age of 16 years started Nordic Combined. This later propelled your career to the height where you have been the leading sport women as a Nordic Combined skier and ski jumper in USA and Finland. Tell us more about your professional journey of exceptional hard work, tenacity, and endurance?
Annika Malacinski:
I was born in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and my early education was split between two continents. Every year, I spent the first semester of school from August to December in Rovaniemi, Finland, before flying back to the U.S. to complete the second semester and enjoy the summer. This transatlantic routine continued for 11 years of my life. Growing up, I was immersed in a wide array of sports and absolutely loved every moment of it.
My mom, a high-level swimmer who competed for Finland, instilled in my brother and me a passion for sports and athletics. She insisted that we engage in endurance sports, so we chose cross-country skiing in the winter and swimming in the summer. At the age of 12, I decided to commit heavily to gymnastics. I trained about 24 hours a week under the guidance of my Hungarian Olympic coach. My life was consumed by the sport—I had little time for friends or free time, but my love for gymnastics made it all worthwhile.
However, as I grew older, the physical demands became too much for my body, and I had to retire from gymnastics. Transitioning from the intense regimen of a high-level gymnast to almost no physical activity left me feeling lost and depressed. I wasn’t ready to give up athletics entirely. During this period, I watched my little brother compete in a Fourth of July Nordic Combined competition in Steamboat.
The excitement and challenge of the sport intrigued me, and within four days, I found myself going off the 40-meter ski jumping hill at home. The adrenaline rush I felt after that jump was exhilarating, and I craved more. Nearly six years later, I am competing at the highest level in Nordic Combined, representing team USA. My journey has been marked by exceptional hard work, tenacity, and endurance.
I have had the privilege of being a trailblazer in my sport, fighting for equality and inspiring others. The road has not always been smooth—I dislocated my shoulder while jumping in 2019—but I have also experienced the thrill of standing on the podium at many Continental Cups (COCs) and achieving a career-best 8th place in the World Cup in Austria last year. This journey has been everything to me. The highs and lows, the challenges and triumphs, have all shaped me into the athlete I am today. I wouldn’t change a single moment of it.
Namita Nayyar:
You competed for the Steamboat Springs Colorado Winter Sports Club, made your international debut on August 24, 2018 this was your first international Nordic Combined event at the FIS Youth Cup in Oberstdorf. Tell us more about this first participation and memories of your beginning of the journey as an American Nordic combined athlete.
Annika Malacinski:
Competing for the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, I made my international debut on August 24, 2018, at the FIS Youth Cup in Oberstdorf. This was my first international Nordic Combined event, and it marked the beginning of an unforgettable journey. I still vividly remember that European trip. It was my first training camp abroad, and I was with a group of athletes who, like me, didn’t yet belong to a junior national or national team. These were the athletes left to carve their own path, and I couldn’t have been luckier to experience it with this particular group of people.
The camaraderie and shared excitement created some core memories that I still cherish to this day. From a young age, I’ve always been highly competitive, and it was hard for me to realize that I had started Nordic Combined almost exactly a year before this competition. While my jumping skills were still developing, I had always had a decent level of endurance, which gave me a bit of confidence. Nevertheless, the nerves really kicked in as I faced my first international competition. Despite this, the experience was overwhelmingly positive.
Meeting athletes from around the world and creating special memories with my team were some of the highlights. The thrill of international competition, the nervous energy, and the joy of connecting with fellow competitors all contributed to a truly memorable experience. These moments solidified my passion for the sport and set the stage for my ongoing journey as an American Nordic Combined athlete. The friendships and experiences from that first trip have stayed with me, and they continue to inspire me as I strive for excellence in this demanding and exhilarating sport.
Namita Nayyar:
You won the Gold for US in Gundersen event during the “Jumpapalooza,” the USA Nordic Sport National Championships for Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined held in Lake Placid, New York, on Friday, 30th September and Saturday, 1st October 2022 in Nordic combined.Tell us more about this spectacular achievement of yours?
Annika Malacinski:
Winning the gold in the Gundersen event during the “Jumpapalooza,” the USA Nordic Sport National Championships for Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined, held in Lake Placid, New York, on September 30th and October 1st, 2022, was a truly spectacular achievement for me.I vividly remember being sick during the competition, but my determination to showcase my skills and win was stronger than ever. Despite feeling unwell, I knew how important it was to participate in nationals and put the months of hard work into this event. I was determined to push through and give it my all, no matter the circumstances.
The competition began with a solid jump, which positioned me well in the standings. I managed to secure a head start of about two minutes ahead of the next skier. This early lead was crucial, and I knew I had to maintain it despite my illness. Competing while knowing it could worsen my condition was challenging, but the significance of nationals and my desire to perform at my best outweighed my concerns. The event itself was spectacular, with an incredible atmosphere and strong support from the crowd.
As I raced through the cross-country portion, I focused on every stride, pushing through the fatigue and sickness. The months of rigorous training and dedication were paying off, and I felt an overwhelming sense of determination and drive. Crossing the finish line and realizing I had won gold was an indescribable feeling. Despite the physical challenges, the triumph of securing a national championship was exhilarating. I was incredibly excited about the win and proud of my ability to overcome adversity and perform at my best when it mattered most.
This achievement not only marked a significant milestone in my career but also reinforced the importance of perseverance and resilience. It reminded me that even in the face of challenges, dedication and hard work can lead to spectacular outcomes.
Namita Nayyar:
You put the sporting track on fire when you won the Gundersen event in Nordic Combined during the US National Championships held in Utah, in resort Park City. Elaborate more about this landmark achievement in your sporting career.
Annika Malacinski:
Winning the Gundersen event in Nordic Combined during the US National Championships held in Park City, Utah, was electrifying, and the feeling of crossing the finish line first is something I will never forget. As much as I enjoy the thrill of victory, this achievement holds a deeper significance for me. It represents an opportunity to pave the way for the younger generation of athletes, especially young girls in Nordic Combined and other sports. I am passionate about being a role model and showing that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.
In Park City, the atmosphere was charged with excitement and anticipation. I felt the weight of my own expectations, as well as the hopes of those looking up to me. The competition was fierce, and every moment required focus and determination. My training and preparation culminated in a performance that I am immensely proud of. Beyond the personal triumph, this victory is about inspiring the next generation.
I want to show young athletes, particularly girls, that they can achieve their dreams, no matter how big. By winning and demonstrating what is possible, I hope to encourage them to pursue their passions with the same fervor and commitment. This event reinforced my belief that role models are crucial in sports. Seeing someone else succeed can ignite the spark of possibility in a young athlete’s mind.
My journey, filled with hard work, setbacks, and triumphs, serves as a testament to the power of perseverance. I want to be that example for others, to show that with grit and determination, they too can set the sporting track on fire. Winning in Park City was not just a personal milestone; it was a moment to celebrate and share with the community. It was a reminder that we are all part of something bigger and that each victory can inspire countless others to chase their dreams and reach new heights.
Full Interview is Continued on Next Page
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