Under 23 Questions: Tucker Hoefler

In an effort to showcase the North Americans who competed at last week’s 2018 Nordic Combined Junior World Championships in Kandersteg, Switzerland, we asked those qualifying athletes several questions about themselves — actually, we had them fill in the blanks. Here we have 19-year-old Tucker Hoefler, of Park City Ski and Snowboard, who represented the U.S. at his second Junior Worlds. 

This week in Kandersteg, Hoefler placed 51st and 55th in two individual competitions and seventh in the team event. 

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“My full name is Tucker Greer Hoefler, but you can call me jediwarrior27.

I was born and raised in Burlington, Vermont, and I learned to ski in the womb.

I spent the time between U.S. Olympic team trials in Park City and Junior Worlds living in snowless misery, then making some powder turns and training in Oberstdorf, Germany.

My favorite workout I did in the last training year to prepare for this was ski mountaineering in the Cascades.

This is my second time in Switzerland and ninth time racing internationally, and so far it’s been brutally realistic.

One difference I’ve noticed between Switzerland and the U.S. is the lack of political stupidity.

Skiing and racing in the Alps is a lot more scenic than Park City. Usually racing at altitude is fine for me, however, the Salt Lake City air quality is what you have to watch out for. There are perky mountains where I live.

One of the things I’m most excited about for Junior Worlds in Kandersteg is to see what a decent amount of snowpack looks like again.

One race I’m especially targeting there is the nordic combined 5 k.

I really hope I can chat/make friends with someone nice and ask them their favorite color.

My favorite thing at the breakfast where we are staying is the Vermont Maple Syrup I brought.

Fondue is dangerous. The cheese here is almost as good as cheddar. And the chocolate is best when you steal it from your team.

If I had a totally free day here and didn’t have to worry about race fitness or training, I’d spend it grazing the cattle and milking the cows.

The best way to follow me on social media is on Instagram is @tuckerhoefler.”