USACYCLING•Hannah(Finchamp) Otto
Mountain Bike
Hannah(Finchamp) Otto
Elite Women's National Team Member, Tokyo 2020 Olympic Long Team Member
www.hannahfinchamp.com
| D.O.B | December 18, 1995 |
| Hometown | Altadena, California |
| Residence | Salt Lake City, Utah |
Meet the Athlete
Hannah started racing at 9 years old. She was always seeking the biggest challenge should could find and went all in on every endeavor she pursued. Standing at a running race, she pointed at a booth advertising triathlon and announced, “I want to do that.” With the unwavering support of a family that had never pursued racing sports before, she soon found herself on a triathlon start line. Standing in a sea of racers, almost double her height, she never felt small when she competed. Her big aspirations made up for her young age and small stature. Her appearance as a young athlete may have been unassuming, but she never questioned herself because she was taught that you can conquer any challenge with determination and persistence. Before the age of 18 she won the XTERRA Amateur World Championship in triathlon two times, and by 20 she had turned her focus entirely to the mountain bike. She has worked up the ranks starting as the two-time California NICA high school state champion and she finished off her college career with 5 Collegiate Cycling Individual National Championship titles. She graduated from Lindenwood University with two health science degrees. One is in Athletic Training and another is in Exercise Science. She is also a USA Cycling Certified Coach and Board-Certified Athletic Trainer. Hannah believes that hard work, resolve, and resilience are the hallmarks of success. She thrives on not only racing the competition, but constantly bettering herself. She is still always seeking the biggest challenge that she can find, but now that challenge is wearing a USA Cycling Jersey and on a World Stage.
What is your spirit animal?
I am a moose. I have long associated with them. At a glance moose are unassuming, but they are capable of so much more than they appear to be. Moose can run up to 35 miles per hour and they can swim for up to 12 miles. They are powerful but you wouldn't necessarily guess it by just looking at them.
I am a moose. I have long associated with them. At a glance moose are unassuming, but they are capable of so much more than they appear to be. Moose can run up to 35 miles per hour and they can swim for up to 12 miles. They are powerful but you wouldn't necessarily guess it by just looking at them.
What is your favorite quote or piece of advice to live by?
"How fast would you be if you didn't know how fast you are?" This quote reminds me to get rid of all preconceived notions and allow myself space to surprise myself. It happens all of the time.
"How fast would you be if you didn't know how fast you are?" This quote reminds me to get rid of all preconceived notions and allow myself space to surprise myself. It happens all of the time.
Growing up, how did youth sports impact who you are today?
I've always found joy in intensity and youth sports taught me at a very young age that there is reward for hard work. I've carried that work ethic with me throughout my entire life.
I've always found joy in intensity and youth sports taught me at a very young age that there is reward for hard work. I've carried that work ethic with me throughout my entire life.
Points of Interest
I will never forget crossing the finish line to win my first cross country collegiate cycling National Champion title. Going into the race, the win was a long-shot for me and I was certainly the under-dog. Crossing that finish line with a commanding lead was the first time I truly viewed myself as a mountain biker and not just as a triathlete. It felt like a glimpse into what my future could hold and continues to remind me that the under-dog will often rise to the occasion.
My most favorite racing moment of all time, spans across several years. In 2015, I raced the Mont Saint Anne World Cup race for the first time as a U23, and I was in way over my head. I struggled to even get around the course, I crashed over a dozen times, and I stood on the start line fearful of the obstacles ahead. In 2019, I stood on that same start line as a part of the USA Elite World Championship team. I was no longer afraid of the obstacles and it was that performance, on the same course.
Winning Stage 6 of the 2019 UCI Breck Epic Stage Race is a very memorable moment for me. It was my first Elite UCI race win and reminds me that even with tired legs at the end of a long race when circ*mstances are far from perfect, you can still create a race that is perfect to you.
For more information contact:h.finchamp@gmail.com
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