A skier’s challenging downhill freeway is fast, furious and free.
Just the preferred ride Auburn’s Jordan “Jordy” Harrison overwhelmingly enjoys. There’s nothing like a swift trip down snow-powdered slopes while leaning on the edge of your skis.
“I just like going fast,” said the 13-year-old Jordan, one of the region’s top alpine skiers for her age. “I’m in control, but going for it.”
Jordan is no precocious thrill-seeker, just a good-natured, bright kid who skis above and beyond most of the junior competition. She has proven to be quick study on her Volkl-sponsored skis.
Competing on the regional circuit, Jordan has emerged with one of her finest seasons, earning lofty regional and national rankings among junior skiers in her age group.
Based on United States Ski Association points, Jordan is fifth in the slalom, fourth in the giant slalom, fifth in the Super G (super giant slalom) and 10th in the downhill amongst 13 years olds competing in the Pacific Northwest Ski Association.
Nationally, she is ranked fifth in the Super G, 21st in the giant slalom, 30th in the downhill and 41st in the slalom States Ski Association (USSA) points.
When it comes to a gate-interspersed Super G course, Jordan’s eyes light up.
“I like it because you’re still going fast, but you still have to plan ahead and think about what you’re doing,” she said of the discipline, which combines speed, technique, tactics and strength.
As she continues to grow and blossom, Jordan is determined to take the hard-working steps and develop into an elite national skier, perhaps in the mold of heralded stars Julia Mancuso and Lindsey Vonn, two of her favorite skiers.
“One day I would like to go to the Olympics,” said Jordan, a seventh-grader at Mt. Baker Middle School. “The training is long and hard sometimes. It’s a little tiring, but it’s all worth it.”
“She has lots of potential,” said Alan Lauba, Jordan’s coach and Crystal Mountain Alpine Club (CMAC) director. “She has a lot of energy, good natural athletic ability and a great work ethic. She stays in excellent shape. She stays with it. She stays on top of her game.”
Jordan performed well in her first Junior Olympic experience and has come on strong since. Lauba expects her to do even better – perhaps strike a top-10 effort – in the next Western Junior Championships.
“She’s a good enough athlete. She should improve,” Lauba added.
Jordan comes from a ski family that includes her parents, John and Julie, and older sister, Ashley, who also competed well. The strong family support and sound coaching, along with understanding teachers at her school, allow Jordan the opportunity to train extensively and, in some cases, year round with CMAC at Crystal Mountain, her home slope, and at Snoqualmie Pass.
“It’s been really fun being involved in this sport and watching Jordan’s hard work and dedication transform into positive results,”
John said. “As long as she is having fun and remains committed, we’ll support her any way we can.
“It’s a big commitment from all of us,” he added. “It’s definitely quality family time that would be hard to replace, and she has made a lot of friendships with kids all across the Northwest.”
