Tucker Barber of Mt. Blue defended his home course at Titcomb Mtn and won the Class A Classical race. He also helped his team win the state title and as a junior, he will be
one to watch next season. We caught up with Tucker and asked him about the state meet pressure and his team's success.
1) What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?
Due to the conditions and weather, training was reduced to a sort of survival-skiing state. While we were fortunate enough to be at Titcomb and did have some snow cover, but in efforts to preserve the race course, practice was limited to whichever other trails were skiable. In light of these obstacles, any quality skiing time we could get before states was pretty grand.
2) How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?
I always find it helpful to remember that I am an outstandingly insignificant blob of person on a somewhat-less insignificant blob of planet, and evidence of anything I do or say will ultimately be forgotten all within a universal blink of an eye. Music is helpful, as well. Thanks to my coach and training, I felt fairly confident and knew I just had to go out there and ski my race. That’s all you can really do. It was also nice to have States on the home course, which takes the whole travel and unfamiliarity thing out of the picture.
3) What is your favorite thing about ski racing?
I really like how skiing demands a variety of capacities. I think it is interesting how endurance, technique, strength and strategy all play into the overall ability of a skier. Each person has their own set of skills and when you ski against someone you get to see how your strengths play against theirs in that particular race. Kind of like Pokemon.
4) Coming into the season, what were your goals and did you achieve them?
States week was definitely in my mind from the beginning of the year, but I didn’t have the thought of winning until partway into the season. From there I was aiming for first or runner-up, a goal that I did achieve.
5) You won the classical title and your team won the state title: what do you attribute this success to?
This year has been sort of a breakout year for me, which can be at least in part credited to my first summer of semi-consistent training. As for the team we have a very deep group, with plenty of young and new skiers. And of course, our rockin' coaches, Claire and Patty, who truly are stars.
6) What are your plans for next year?
Hopefully, skiing on a slightly better snow cover (*cough, cough* weather). I am also looking forward to racing for the title of both classic and freestyle, as well as repeating the team title.