Alongside wooded terrain, the skier’s long blonde ponytail flows as her waxed skis glide along crisp snow. In a uniform adorned with white and blue stripes and emblazoned with the word “Massachusetts,” she whirs by in a colorful flash. She is exhausted, nearly out of breath, though she keeps her head down, reminding herself of the rewarding feeling she will soon experience as she crosses the finish line.

Nordic skiing has long been a pillar of sophomore Hannah Petersen’s life. Since joining a ski club called Eastern Massachusetts Cross Country Skiing (EMXC) when she was in 2nd grade, and subsequently the club’s high school-oriented “Juniors” program when she was 14 years old, she is familiar with extensive training regimens and has competed in her share of tournaments. She represents the high school and will compete for Massachusetts in the upcoming Under 16 (U16) Championships, a regional tournament that marks the culmination of her year’s work of training. It is set to take place in Fort Kent, Maine from March 17-19.

Last year, Petersen finished in fifth place from a field of 92 skiers in the 5k freestyle at the U16 Championships. Despite the pride she feels for this result, she said she aspires for a top-three placement this year.

Petersen said that many people mistake what Nordic skiing entails with other, more recognizable forms of skiing.

“Most people don’t actually know what Nordic skiing is, or they confuse it with downhill skiing, which involves going upwards in a chairlift,” Petersen said. “Many people also think that it is simply walking on snow, and they do not understand that there is a competing aspect to it or that it requires a lot of strength and endurance.”

Petersen currently trains at EMXC six days a week, all year round. In the fall, due to a lack of snowfall, she and her teammates “rollerski,” or ski with wheels on rough terrains like cement. She said that the intensity and frequency of her training program can be difficult, though it has taught her valuable skills.

“Nordic skiing is hard work because it is a sport that requires training all year, which isn’t always enjoyable, as skiing on snow is the best part of the sport,” Petersen said. “However, the training has definitely taught me how to be tough, as it often requires being outside sometimes in freezing temperatures.”

Polina Kontorovich, a teammate of Petersen’s at EMXC, said that Petersen’s drive to succeed and willingness to persevere has contributed to her success as a skier.

“Nordic skiing is a really challenging sport and to be really successful in it, one has to be able to push themselves very hard and fight through the pain. [Petersen] is competitive and has a lot of drive, which helps her keep pushing when races or training gets difficult,” Kontorovich said.

Jo Lynch-Shaddock, another teammate of Petersen’s at EMXC, said that Petersen consistently strives to give the entirety of her effort and pushes those around her to do the same.

“Hannah has an incredible work ethic, and that is saying something coming from a club with highly talented, nationally-ranked athletes,” Lynch-Shaddock said. “No matter the weather or the workout, she tries to do her best, and she pushes herself and others around her to do better by maintaining a positive attitude and always being kind.”

Kontorovich said that Petersen’s desire to see her teammates succeed helps foster an environment of encouragement and success.

“Even though she’s pretty competitive, [Petersen is] also an amazing teammate who deeply cares about others and is always cheering for them. She helps create a sense of community on the team, which I think is a really special thing to feel when you’re out there during a race, and it helps everyone be more successful,” Kontorovich said.

Petersen attributed her success to the support she has received from her teammates and coaches.

“Nordic skiing is a sport where everybody supports each other,” Petersen said. “When you are competing in a race, your teammates are on the sidelines, watching and cheering you on.”

Kontorovich said that Petersen’s personality contributes to a sense of fun and liveliness among the team, which pairs with her dedication to Nordic skiing.

“The most impressive thing about Hannah as a skier is her ability to balance training with fun,” Kontorovich said. “She’s able to be a social member on the team, but at the same time she knows when she needs to focus on her training. She certainly brings a lot of fun to the team, and I think all of her teammates and coaches notice that.”