SPA senior and Dartmouth-ski commit Helen Townley raced her first 29k this past weekend. This event totaled just over 18 miles. Townley finished with a time of one hour and 24 minutes, racing against professional and junior Nordic skiers from across the country. She returned home with a plaque, a bib, and a second-place finish.

While the 29k is new to Townley, Nordic skiing is not; she regularly competes in events across the country. Two weekends ago, Townley raced the Minnesota Loppet classic and skate races, skiing a total of 50 kilometers, or just over 31 miles.

Ever since beginning to ski for fun at 8 years old with her family and then starting to be competitive in 7th grade, Townley has been pushing the limits in terms of mileage and mental stamina. “It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster but it’s been a lot of fun and a lot of learning,” Townley said.

COVID kicked her dedication to racing into gear as the time she was able to socialize indoors rolled to a stop, and her club Nordic team, Loppet Nordic Racing (LNR), became her primary source of interaction. Townley has always loved the outdoors, and skiing provided an outlet. “I liked getting to see people during COVID because it was outside and safe,” she said.

Her club team was supportive of her goals and ambitions with skiing. “I really like the people on my club team… we’re always laughing, which makes it really fun,” Townley said, “My teammates always push me to go faster when we’re doing intervals or speeds, and they lift me up when I’m having a bad day.”

Townley’s family also has played a large part in her skiing development “My parents ski for fun, my sister… doesn’t like it,” Townley said. Despite not skiing themselves, they remain central to her support system. “They travel with me to competitions, motivate me when I don’t want to train… lift me up after a bad race, encourage me during my racing and remind me of my goals,” she said. These reasons listed are only a few of their roles in her success.

Mostly, Townley drives her own training. “I am drawn towards doing difficult things, and it’s very rewarding [to race]; you get to push your body to the limits,” Townley said. She chooses the longest races “just for fun,” and she knows this practice will be beneficial for her future in college, where she will race the 20k distance.

“I am going to Dartmouth, where I will be on their Nordic ski team,” Townley said, “I am super excited for the team environment and further growth as a skier.” She will be one of few additions to the 12-member womens ski team.

While she has her next couple steps planned out, she doesn’t know how far she will take her sport. “I really enjoy skiing; it’s a big part of my everyday life and a break from academics but also just for fun, and I’ll see where life takes me.”

In the last months of winter, Townley will be traveling to Utah to race in at Junior Nationals, and this event marks the end of her high school ski career.