Scottish Women & Girls in Sport Week - Hannah McHugh Interview

This summer, we caught up with some of our incredible #TeamSnowSportScotland athletes to hear their stories, goals, and inspirations. Today, we’re excited to introduce you to Hannah McHugh from Fife Nordic Ski Club, who’s currently training with our Nordic Performance Squad. Read on to discover what drives her on and off the snow!

1. What inspired you to pursue your sport at a high level?

The love for skiing. I really enjoying skiing and being outdoors. I also really enjoy sport and the social and health benefits it brings to people

2. What’s the biggest mental challenge you face in competition, and how do you overcome it?

The ability to go deep and really empty yourself on race day. This is a difficult one for me, I find that giving everything in interval sessions and fully completing training sessions no matter the weather is the best way to improve my mental toughness.

3. What’s the most underrated aspect of training for your discipline?

In Scotland it definitely has to be roller skiing in Autumn. It’s brutal, wet, wind and super dirty roads makes it difficult to find the motivation to go out for interval sessions and long skis. Knowing that winter is just round the corner makes it a little easier though

4. If you had to describe your sport to someone who’s never seen snow before, how would you do it?

For freestyle skiing I would make them imagine ice skating but with poles or that little skate push you would do to get onto the ski lift. Classic skiing is a little different, best way to think about it is like running on skis which your poles being used to propel yourself forward.

5. What’s the wildest or most unexpected thing that’s happened to you on the slopes?

Seeing Therese Johaug in real life at the Birkibiner Ski Stadium, in Lillehammer was amazing! I couldn’t believe my eyes.

6. If you could change one rule or aspect of your sport, what would it be?

I would encourage universal waxing for all teams in more big ski events. Wax can make or break people races at all levels, a neutral wax arrangement could provide a leveller for the field and allow more athletes to shine. FIS have already been trialing this and it has had a positive result.

7. If you could add one event to the Winter Olympics, what would it be?

I am really looking forward to skimo being in the 2026 olympics, I would love to see more of the mountaineering sports in the Olympic cycle. Freeride would be an awesome thing to see!

9. If you could compete in any other winter sport for a day, which would it be and why?

I have always wanted to ski the Streif, so it would have to be Super G. The speed, jumps, strength that you need to have to race a course like that is incredible. I would love to experience soaring downhill on a pair of Super G skis.

Thanks so much Hannah, and we wish you all the best in your upcoming season!