Ellen Søhol Lie

ELLEN SØHOL LIE

Sport: Cross Country Skiing
DOB: 23/08/1994
Place of Birth: Sydney, NSW
Place of Residence: Lillehammer, Norway
OWIA Athlete Performance Contract Commenced: 2024

Personal Best Results:
Individual

World Championships - 37th (15km Skiathlon Classic/Free), Planica, SLO, 2023
World Cup - 44th (Women's 20km Skiathlon Classic/Free), Trondheim, NOR, 2023

Teams

World Championships - 17th (Women's Teams Sprint Free), Planica, SLO, 2023
World Cup - 16th (Mixed 4x5km Relay Classic/Free), Goms, SUI, 2024

Note: current as @ 07/04/2025

BIOGRAPHY

Ellen Søhol Lie is an Australian cross-country skier who has carved a unique path to the world stage. Born in Sydney and raised in Norway, Ellen grew up immersed in skiing culture but stepped away from the sport as a teenager, only to rediscover her passion at age 24. Motivated by the dream of representing Australia at the highest level, she returned to competitive skiing in 2018 with the ambitious goal of qualifying for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Her journey reflects resilience and determination, balancing late entry into elite sport with the demands of international competition.

Since joining the Australian national team, Ellen has competed in multiple FIS World Cup seasons and World Championships, steadily improving her performances. Career highlights include a 37th-place finish in the Skiathlon at the 2023 World Championships in Planica and contributing to Australia’s best-ever relay result at the 2025 World Championships in Trondheim, where the women’s team placed 12th. Individually, Ellen achieved a 41st-place finish in the 10km Classic and 15th in the Team Sprint final, marking significant progress for Australian cross-country skiing on the global stage. Her versatility spans sprint, skiathlon, and distance events, with World Cup results such as 16th in the Mixed Relay in Goms and 18th in the Team Sprint in Davos.

Away from competition, Ellen combines her athletic career with academic achievement, holding two bachelor’s degrees, and enjoys working, knitting, and relaxing with television. Sponsored by Swix and Radiant Health, she trains primarily in Lillehammer, Norway, and represents the Heming club internationally. Ellen’s proudest moment remains her World Championship debut in Planica, and her sights are firmly set on Milano Cortina 2026.

Q & A

Childhood Ambition:
Become a Veterinarian

Proudest Moment:
World Championship in Planica 2023

I began this sport ....
at first as a child, and then again when I was 24 years old

Participation in other sports:
Lacrosse, soccer, horse riding

Favourite overseas competition and why:
World cup and world champs because it's so cool to race with worlds best skiers.

Sports Hero:
Karsten Warholm

When I am not training/competing I am:
Working, relaxing with tv and knitting,

Highest level of education achieved:
Two bachelor degrees

Sponsors:
Swix and Radiant Health