From Nuuk to Norway: Nanna Møller’s Journey
At just 16, Nanna Møller has accomplished what many adults might think twice about: she left the comforts of her home in Nuuk to chase her dreams on the slopes. Since August, she has been adapting to life in Norway, where she has enrolled in one of the country’s premier ski schools—an elite institution reserved for the most committed and talented young athletes.
Embracing Change
“I was sure I would find it tough to move and miss home constantly. Surprisingly, that hasn’t been the case at all,” Nanna shares with a chuckle. “It seems like it’s mostly my parents who call—I’m really enjoying it here.”
The ski school in Geilo is not your typical educational setting. Each day often begins long before the school bell rings, perfectly aligning with Nanna’s ambition. Her schedule is packed, featuring up to 16 hours of training and competitions each week, all while balancing academic responsibilities.
“As long as I have skis on my feet, it’s hard to be in a bad mood. That’s where I truly feel at home,” she explains.
What’s more, the camaraderie at school has been a revelation for Nanna. Back in Nuuk, she trained alone, but now she finds herself amongst peers who share her fervor for skiing.
“Everyone here is just as obsessed with skiing as I am. It’s refreshing; we understand each other, speaking the same language—just with skis on our feet,” she adds.
Despite her youth, Nanna often competes against athletes as old as 19. Rather than intimidate her, it only fuels her ambition.
A Legacy on the Slopes
Nanna’s affinity for skiing is deeply rooted. Raised in a household where sports played a pivotal role, her father, Martin Møller, a former skier and current national coach in cross-country skiing, has been both her guide and inspiration.
“I owe a lot to my father. Without him, I honestly don’t think I’d be here today. He didn’t just teach me the technical elements; he taught me how to handle both victory and defeat,” Nanna reflects.
For her, having a father with such experience has never felt burdensome. “Some might think it puts pressure on me, but I know he’s proud of my journey, no matter the outcome. For me, it feels like support.”
Two years ago, she made a pivotal decision to elevate her passion for biathlon beyond a mere hobby.
“I just knew that biathlon was what I wanted to pursue seriously. The pace picked up quickly—training sessions in Norway, competitions, and my eyes set on getting into ski school,” she recounts.
The admission process was anything but guaranteed.
“I could hardly believe it when I received the acceptance message. I was so thrilled that I burst into tears,” Nanna laughs, lost in the memory.
Enrolled at NTG—Norwegian Toppidrettsgymnas—where young talents meld athletic pursuits with academic excellence, she has seen notable progress during her five months there. A recent visit home over the holidays provided a stark reminder of how far she has come.
“It was quite surreal to return home. I could feel how much I had changed in such a short time,” she notes.
On the World Stage
Nanna’s hard work is beginning to pay off in significant ways. She has qualified for the Junior World Championships in biathlon, set to take place in Germany at the end of February.
“The Junior WC is monumental for me, but oddly enough, I’m even more excited about the Norwegian Cup. At the WC, I’ll face 19-year-olds, while the Cup offers me a genuine shot at the podium—and that would be incredible,” she smiles.
The Norwegian Cup spans several events until April and serves as a crucial platform for young athletes. Nanna will be representing her school while proudly wearing the colors of Greenland at the Junior WC—a representation she deeply values.
“It means the world to me to represent Greenland. Competing under my own flag gives me an extra boost of motivation,” she expresses.
Her Greenlandic heritage remains a significant part of her life in Norway. “My roots are incredibly important to me. It wouldn’t feel right if people viewed me solely as Danish,” she emphasizes.
Finding Her Place
Life at the ski school is demanding, but Nanna is thriving. Though she’s charting this course away from home, the support from her family is invaluable.
“If I didn’t have my dad to discuss training with, I think I’d feel quite solitary. He’s not just my father; he’s my former coach—and that combination means everything to me,” Nanna states firmly.
It appears that Nanna Møller is right where she belongs: far from Nuuk but closer than ever to her passion, standing tall on her own yet always inspired by her father’s guidance. A young Greenlandic biathlete with her gaze firmly fixed on a bright future.