Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Seibold.
Hi Sarah, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story is one of transition from “dainty” to “dangerous.” I spent nearly twenty years of my life immersed in the world of competitive figure skating and while that sport is typically known for its beauty and grace, I was keen to make it a show of power and intensity. I worked hard and competed at the highest level as a USFSA double gold medalist.
During college, I found myself injured often from attempting to perform at that same high level I was used, to while failing to train adequately due to coursework and job demands. It seemed like a natural end to my career and as I stepped away, I also fell out of love with the memory.
Living and growing up in Colorado, I began trading my choreographed routines for high-altitude mountain adventures and “wild ice.” I learned that I crave the unknown. I learned that I love to challenge my body and that flexibility with activities and seasons felt right. I love movement. I love pushing myself to the boundaries of what’s possible.
As my goals progressed, I sought out particularly interesting endeavors and eventually came across the sport of Ice Cross. I learned that there was a non-qualification-based race happening in the US and I signed up for it. Seeing it as nothing more than a bucket list item, I was incredibly surprised to have as much fun as I had and end up with the fastest time during time trials. I skated well during quarter and semi-finals and was able to race in my first “final” with the pros.
I realized that my skating background, when combined with power and a high tolerance for suffering, made me a natural fit for Ice Cross. I traded the sequins for pads and a helmet, taking on the controlled chaos of downhill racing. Now, I ended my recent season ranked 2nd in the world and having defended my place as the highest-ranked US woman in the sport for the third consecutive year.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been smoother than I expected but it’s also frozen, rutted, and often uphill. Meeting like-minded people and finding a collective in Ice Cross has been incredible. The primary struggle has been internal: shedding the stereotypes of my figure skating past. I watch my skating style and see that I “skate like a figure skater.” This has its advantages on the track and I’m still learning where my greatest strengths lie but I’m finally leaving behind the assumption that I lack the intensity required to transition my skills to steep, icy tracks at 40mph alongside other racers.
Beyond the mental game, there is the physical reality of my training. I don’t have the luxury of a year-round Ice Cross track. But neither does anyone else. With a level playing field like this, I have had to be my own architect of success – finding frozen lakes, spending as much time as possible on roller skates, and using mountain climbing to build the lung capacity others lack. Every victory has been earned in the Colorado backcountry during conditions most people would stay inside to avoid.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a professional Ice Cross racer and high-altitude athlete. I specialize in flow and technical mastery on the world’s most technical downhill ice tracks. I am known for my ability to maintain technical control and gain speed throughout a track where others rely on their explosive starts and slow down as they tire.
What sets me apart is my duality. I possess the balance and precision of a figure skater and the ruggedness of a mountaineer. While my competitors might get rattled by soft ice, falling snow, or invisible ruts, I find power in those variables. I don’t just tolerate the elements, I relax into them.
I am most proud of my recent ascent to World Vice Champion. It’s a title that proves my twisted path was actually a direct line to the top. Defending my title as the #1 ranked US woman for three years running isn’t just a statistic to me either, it’s a confirmation that my perseverance and preparation are working.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success as the moment my preparation meets a challenge so immense it would make anyone else shrink back, and realizing that instead, I’m excited to start. It’s the realization that being this close to the world title isn’t a fluke, a stroke of luck, or some trick of the environment. Success is the quiet, internal certainty that I deserve to be here.
It’s the validation that my unconventional training – the grueling mountain trails, the sub-zero sessions on wild ice, the obsessive deep-dives into my own performance – is working exactly as intended. I caught up. I closed the gap. Success is knowing that I’ve built a foundation so solid that the world title isn’t a “maybe” anymore, it’s a “when.” One day, it will be mine, and I’ll have every mile of suffering in the Colorado backcountry to thank for it. The placements I’ve held this season are the ultimate proof of concept.
Pricing:
- Primary Sponsor Level – $2500+
- Gold Sponsor Level – $1000+
- Silver Sponsor Level – $500+
- Bronze Sponsor Level – $150+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.icecross.org/en/athlete-detail/?atsxCode=USA0279F
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahaseibold/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552514784607#
Image Credits
Jakob Beg
Julia Roger-veyer
Ram McDonough
