Haley Smith on becoming a privateer in 2026 while doing her PhD

Haley Smith has been on one factory team or another since she was in her teens. In that time, she spent a decade as a World Cup XC racer, went to the 2021 Olympics, and won the inaugural round of the Life Time Grand Prix. But this year, she’s embarking on a new chapter as a privateer. She’s also doing it while completing her PhD. 

Haley caught up with Payson in Girona this week to talk about the challenges and opportunities of privateering, including why it was the best way forward for her and how she’s pieced together her program. She also talks about the all-star coach she’s been working with since November and why she felt that now was the time to continue her academic work. 

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