From Skiing To Business: Ragnar Horn On “Bringing His Best”
Ragnar Horn has filled his biography with a litany of professional accolades, entrepreneurship, business development, and impressive feats. He is the current Chairman of Taconic AS, a family-owned investment company. While this extensive array of professional ventures would be enough for any leader, Horn is a modern Renaissance man. He is an avid philanthropist who works alongside various international charitable ventures. A lover of the arts, Horn is also a voracious collector of international modern art, highlighting various artists whose pieces represent universal themes. The lifelong sports enthusiast is also a leading competitive skier, with decades of experience propelling the sport forward. In everything that he does, Ragnar Horn touts the importance of “bringing his best”.
The Love Of Skiing
During his time at Williams College, Horn became interested in competitive skiing. Prior to receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Economics in 1985, Horn was on the school’s varsity cross-country skiing team. During this time, he developed an inherent love for the sport, the camaraderie of his teammates, and the overall rush of competitive skiing. Never one to timidly pursue a passion, Horn committed his free time to perfect his technical skills and immersing himself in the world of competitive skiing. This time served as the essential start to a lifelong athletic venture.
A Continued Love For Competition
To this day, Horn continues to actively compete in ski marathons, races, and other ventures. His love of competitive skiing has remained at the forefront of motivation. Horn “brings his best” in these ventures by putting in the effort to perform his best, get the most out of his participation, and earn podium finishes. Rather than meekly participating in leisurely ski activities, Horn tackles competition head-on, a feat that extends to other facets of his life.
Confidently and boldly engaging in competition on the slopes as well as in the corporate world, Horn regularly yearns for growth, expansion, self-betterment, and achievement. In his professional trajectory, the desire to “bring his best” can be seen in Horn’s continued growth as a leader. Building upon each experience to perfect his leadership skills and financial prowess, Horn is now a trusted Board Director for various leading companies, including Eiendomsspar AS and Victoria Eiendom AS, and Berner Gruppen AS.
Horn actively considers himself a competitive person but recognizes the importance of learning, collaboration, and engagement in order to achieve growth. For this reason, Horn actively looks to train with the best competitive skiers. In the business world, he collaborates regularly with other industry giants and welcomes discussion, incubation of ideas, and other activities that serve to champion all involved parties.
Team Ragde Eiendom
Not only does Horn continue to personally engage in the sport of skiing, but his company also acts as the Co-Sponsor of Team Ragde Eiendom. Since 2018, Taconic AS has been the co-sponsor of the premier ski marathon team. The leading team is the 2019–2020 winner of the Visma Ski Classics pro team competition, men’s’ competition, and Vasaloppet. The Vasaloppet is the world’s most famous ski marathon, boasting over 15,000 competitors.
The team was founded in 2007 by Jørgen and Anders Aukland, who have both won multiple Classics. They have both been instrumental in developing competitive ski teams, and recognize the big picture of championing the growth of the sport. The success of the team highlights the sport and brings new fans to competitive skiing. Working alongside the founders of Team Ragde Eiendom, Horn is committed to evolving the sport and recognizing how his actions can affect future generations of skiers. An active competitor in the sport for his age range, Horn also dedicates his time to championing not only himself but for others in the sport.
The Proof Is In The Pudding
Dedicating his all in every venture, Horn’s efforts have paid off in the many facets of his life. Successful in his philanthropic ventures, skiing efforts, and professional endeavors alike, Horn proves that hard work pays off. By yearning to constantly improve, learn, grow, and accomplish goals, Horn has steadily gained positive results.
Currently, Horn is ranked #6 in his age group, according to Visma Ski Classics. This impressive feat is indicative of Horn’s continued commitment to engage wholeheartedly in his ventures. In the past year, Horn has participated in Switzerland’s 62 km La Diagonela, Italy’s 70km Marcialonga, and the famed 90km Vasaloppet race.
From propelling the world of competitive skiing forward via his championing of the field to helping children via his leadership position with the philanthropic organization Right To Play Ragnar Horn engages in meaningful ventures with fervor, spirit, and dedication. He often touts the notion of “bringing his best” to everything that he does. His many accomplishments serve as proof of the meaningful nature of this advice in motion.
Originally published at https://medium.com on September 5, 2020.
