Under 23 Questions with Tucker Hoefler

In an effort to showcase the North Americans competing at this week’s International Ski Federation (FIS) 2017 USANA Nordic Junior World Championships and U23 Cross Country World Championships at Soldier Hollow in Midway, Utah, we asked those qualifying athletes several questions about themselves — actually, we had them fill in the blanks. Here we have 18-year-old Tucker Hoefler, of the Park City Nordic Ski Club and U.S. Nordic Combined development group, who’s representing the U.S. at his first Junior Worlds.

***

“My full name is Tucker Greer Hoefler but you can call me Tucki or Slat Rat. I was born in Burlington, Vt., raised in Williston, Vt., and the one thing you should know about my hometown is the liberal agenda and The Sox.

I started skiing when I was in the womb, and jumping when I was 10, thanks to my dad who forced me into the sport. I currently train in Park City, Utah, with the Park City Nordic Ski Club/ USA NoCo Development.

If I’m not skiing, you might find me brapping a sled, skinning a peak, or climbing a rock. If I had to pick a favorite book, it would be the Toyota Highlander Owners Manual.

One of the things I’m most excited about for U23/Junior Worlds at Soldier Hollow is driving 27 minutes from my house to the race course. One race I’m especially targeting there is the NoCo 5 k.

The best advice anyone ever gave me about skiing or racing was ‘Don’t make me look bad’  – Coach. One of the best race memories I have is almost getting 2nd at two World Junior Qualifiers this year.

If I could meet one World Cup skier, it would be Sabina Berend’s sister.

If I don’t end up being a professional skier, I’ll probably be a ski bum living alone in a cabin in Montana.

I’m missing zero days of school to be here, and my teachers are probably thinking, ‘I’m surprised Tucker was able to graduate this fall.‘

You can follow me on Instagram @tuckerhoefler.”