Three things you did not know about Danelle Umstead

After winning three bronzes in the downhill and the super combined at Vancouver 2010, and in the super combined at Sochi 2014, US alpine skier Danelle Umstead has set sights on another medal at PyeongChang 2018.

Together with her guide and husband Rob, she went on to claim three medals at the 2015 World Championships and to finish top of the 2014-15 World Cup rankings.

Get to know some interesting facts about the 44-year-old with the World Cup season due to get underway in Kuhtai, Austria, on 15 December.

1. As soon as I get off a plane in Europe, the first thing I have to do is go get a pretzel and a cappuccino.

I am a pretzel freak when I am in Europe, like I love my pretzels. … These are like the “real deal” pretzels and their cappuccinos are like ‘Yes!’ So I get off the plane and beeline myself right to get a pretzel. My husband takes me right there.

2. My song is ‘Rise Up,’ by Andra Day.

I have to hear that song every time I race. It is super important to me.

3. When I was a kid, I wanted to be in the army.

I found out that when I was 13. I was blind in one eye - I lost the central vision in my right eye when I was 13 -. I had low vision, but it was correctable. …I found out back then, and I do not know if it is still that way, you could not be in the military at all unless you had perfect vision.

Umstead is building towards the 2017 World Para Alpine Skiing Championships, taking place in Tarvisio, Italy place between 22-31 January.

Media accreditation is available at the Tarvisio 2017 website.