Gangwon 2024: Meet Burke Academy's Annika Hunt: Inspired by Mikaela Shiffrin and Federica Brignone
The 17-year-old from Park City trains at the Burke Mountain Academy in Vermont and aspires to join the list of successful alumni who have competed at an Olympic event. Hunt lined up for Team USA in alpine skiing at the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games.
Alpine Skiing
How does it feel to train at the same academy that forged the greatest alpine skier in history? We asked Annika Hunt, a student at Burke Mountain Academy, the boarding school in Vermont for elite skiers where Mikaela Shiffrin graduated in 2013.
Annika is one of Team USA’s alpine medal hopes at the Winter Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024:
“I think Burke is really special because everyone works really hard, and we're always pushed out of our comfort zone,” said the 17-year-old to Olympics.com prior to competing at the Youth Olympics.
“I think it makes a lot of people grow, but Burke's a small school. There are like 60 to 70 students, so you get really close with everyone. And it's like a family, which is really special,” continued Hunt.
Her father, Jesse, joined the coaching staff of the academy as Sport Director following two decades at U.S. Ski and Snowboard.
Since its founding in 1970, Burke Mountain Academy has produced 37 Olympians, including Shiffrin, Nina O'Brien, world medallist Erik Schlopy and Olympic champion Diann Roffe: "There's a long list of names who went to Burke, which is pretty cool to see and it kind of inspires you," she noted.
Outdoor girl
Annika was born into a ski pedigree. Her dad was a former ski racer and won bronze at the 1983 junior worlds, while her mother competed in cross-country skiing. Both of her older siblings, Espen and Mia, are also part of Team USA’s National Development Group (NDG).
“My whole family is very competitive,” Hunt said. “I've been skiing since I can remember; my whole family skied, obviously, so I just started right when I could stand up.”
Hunt grew up in Park City, the renowned mountain resort in Utah, considered a real paradise for outdoor activities. From powder skiing in winter to hiking during the summer, Annika enjoyed a variety of sports, including mountain biking, soccer and horseback riding.
“I also grew up doing gymnastics, which was awesome, but I didn't love that it was indoors,” said Hunt, who chose to focus on skiing at the age of nine.
Annika Hunt making progress
“Growing up in Utah as a skier was really great,” she said. “We didn't train gates at all until U14. We just did free skiing, and I loved that a lot because it made me learn to love the sport even before ski racing necessarily.”
The 17-year-old made her senior debut last season, competing in FIS events and making progress in the NorAm circuit. Her career highlights so far also include last year’s U.S. U18 nationals, where she won the super G and placed second overall.
“I believe slalom is my strength. I've been working a lot on my GS because it was a bit of my weakest point. But I'm feeling a lot more confident,” Hunt said. “While I haven't trained a lot of speed, racing it is a lot of fun. I particularly enjoy super-G downhill.”
In terms of inspirations, Annika looks up to Shiffrin (“She’s like picture-perfect for technique”) and Italy’s Federica Brignone, a three-time Olympic medallist: “She's very aggressive and doesn't necessarily have the textbook form, but she can be just as fast or faster than anyone. I find her fire and aggression really cool.”
Annika Hunt (right) with her siblings Espen (middle) and Mia (left)
Family first for Annika Hunt
The US talent revealed she has a special connection with the country of her mum, who hails from a town just outside of Oslo. She learned Norwegian as her first language, and every summer, she spends a month with her family there: “My grandparents have a cabin right by the ocean in the south, a place called Tromoya. So, we go there, swim, run, and just spend time outside, which is really great.”
Family holds a key place in her life. Since last season, Annika has had the opportunity to grow closer to her sister Mia, who trains at the University of Denver. Both sisters participate in FIS and NorAm competitions: “I see her a lot, and there have been a few times our bibs were right next to each other. So, I'll be cheering her on at the start, or she'll be cheering me on. It's really motivating and inspiring.”
In 2023, Annika Hunt placed second overall at the U18 US nationals
Annika Hunt: A World Cup debut next?
As part of the U.S. ski development program, Hunt has had the chance to train alongside top American skiers: “This fall, I went to New Zealand with the D team and C team, and Nina O'Brien, AJ Hurt, and all these girls, including Paula (Moltzan). It was really cool to see,” she said. “All the girls on the U.S. Ski Team are so nice, inclusive, and outgoing, and it just makes me want to be on the team even more. Being surrounded by those girls is just awesome.”
Following the Winter Youth Olympics, the Utah-born skier will participate in her first Junior World Championships, taking place in Portes du Soleil, France from Sunday 28 January. She aims to soak up as much as she can from these new experiences: “I'm very excited. It's really cool to see so many different countries, be exposed to new competition, and it's very rewarding,” Hunt expressed.
Her next goal is racing in the World Cup circuit, perhaps as early as next year: “I definitely want to be racing in the World Cup circuit and hopefully be in the top 15 for sure. And then maybe one day going to the Olympics. I think that'd be really cool,” she concluded.