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Marcus



My name is Marcus Sandell, I'm an alpine skier.


My first time on skis was at the age of 3 with my dad at my home slope in Kauniainen. I raced the first time when I was 6 and from then on racing has been close to my heart. I represent Ski Team Finland and I'm proud to be a member of GrIFK Alpine, my hometown club.

I've lived 5 years in England where I raced on plastic which was quite a interesting experience. My family moved back to Finland in 1999 and I continued school in Kauniainen and continued skiing and training with my home club. It took a while to adapt to skiing on snow but with professional coaches in my club I progressed and won the gold in slalom at the Hopeasompa (FIN Kids Champs) races at the age of 14, it my first 'big' win. I attended Ruka Ski Gymnasium where I started to train more professionally and began racing in the more challenging races in Middle-Europe. I earned my spot in the National Team in 2003. Starting in the Junior Team, then stepping up to the Europa Cup Team in 2006 and to the World Cup Team in 2007. 

Season 2006/2007 I raced my first World Cup, took my first World Cup points in GS and won the European GS cup. 

2007/2008 was my first whole WC season. I started the season with nr 42 in Sölden and in the WC Finals in Bormio I started with nr 11. I ended the season on 16th place in the GS cup.

In september 2009 I injured myself in a training run in Pitztal. I lost my kidney, ruptured my spleen, broke my hand, nose and parts of my spine. I had over three liters of blood in my abdomen when I arrived at the Innsbruck hospital. It was close that my life ended that day, I was told later on it was a matter of minutes. I lost 10kg of muscle during my 6 week recovery time. With really hard work and a lot of professional people around me I managed to represent 5 months after the surgery Finland at the Vancouver Olympics 2010.

The 2010/2011 was my most difficult season. Battleing with my body and my mind I didn't take points in the first five races. In February I made it to the second run in Hinterstoder and finished 7th, one of the best moments in my career. I believed in myself again.

The previous seasons have been more solid. I established my place in the top 15, I'm focused on taking the next steps and getting closer to winning races. Season 2012/2013 was my best so far, finishing 8th in the GS cup.


In 2013 I began my economic studies at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Science. I've completed my duties in the Finnish army in 2007. On my free time I love to fish, especially for pike on the fly.



Facts

In the Finnish Alpine Ski Team since 2003. Season 06/07 in the European Cup team. Since 07/08 in the World Cup team. In the Finnish Olympic training group since 2005. Represented Finland at the 2010 Olympics Games in Vancouver and at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi.


Personal data
Marcus Sandell  23.9.1987
Born in Espoo, today living in Haukilahti, Finland
Height: 178 cm Weight: 83 kg
Team: GrIFK Alpine, Finland 
Home skiresort: Grankulla
Education: Graduated from Kuusamo Alpine highschool and Grankulla Gymnasium highschool at Kauniainen spring 2007. Studying economics at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Science since 2013.

Military completed 2007 in Urheilukoulu 1/07, Hämeen Rykmentti.
 
Coaches:
Janne Haarala
Alessandro Serra
Jukka Leino
Petri Halonen
Mikko Heiskanen

Mental Coach: Christoph Treier

Skis, boots and bindings: Nordica, served by Robert Kristan.

Helmets, Goggles and Sunglasses: Shred

Poles and protection: Leki

Clothing Provider: Halti

Car: At the moment driving a Audi Q5 Land of Quattro edition.