We will now spotlight senior Clara White of Orono. She was the 2026 Class C Classical state champion, freestyle state champion and the pursuit
state champion. She also competed for team New England at Junior Nationals. We asked her about her successes and her plans for next year.
1) What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?
Heading into the state meet, I was primarily focused on resting and recovering well since I had been racing quite intensely for the past few weeks, as well as enjoying the last practices with my teammates.
2) How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?
In order to take off some of the pressures of big races, I like to remind myself of how lucky I am to be able to race with so many great athletes and people around me.
3) What was going through your mind at the start?
Especially on the second day, the start was a bittersweet experience since I was excited to go and ski as hard as I could on the beautiful trails in Fort Kent, though I also knew that it was my last high school race with my teammates and the incredible Maine high school skiing community.
4) What do you attribute your success to?
I could make a list a mile long with the number of people who have helped me get this far, including coaches, teammates, friends, family, and community members. The cross country skiing community is incredibly supportive and willing to help every athlete to reach their highest potential. I am super grateful for the opportunities I have been given and everything I have learned over the past four years!
5) What are your goals/plans for next year?
Next year, I am beyond excited to attend Bowdoin College and ski on their Nordic team. Bowdoin has a fantastic program with great coaches and a community that I can’t wait to be a part of!
6) What surprised you the most about this season?
Since we were lucky to have very consistent snow conditions throughout the entire season, I was happily surprised by the amount of progress in technique I’ve seen in myself, my teammates, as well as athletes across the state.
7) What moment/event will you remember the most from the season?
I will remember all of the small moments from the season, such as game days with my team and the kind interactions I’ve had with athletes and community members across the state.
8) What do you like most about Nordic Skiing?
I love the environment of Nordic Skiing because I am surrounded by kind, supportive, and positive people! Everyone from groomers to wax techs, to volunteers make skiing possible. Without them, high school skiing in Maine would not be as strong as it is today.
9) Anything else that you would like to add?
I would like to thank everyone who makes Maine skiing such a fun experience! I am thankful for the memories and friends that I have made throughout the past four years and I know that I would not be the person or skier I am today without the people around me.
