Monster Energy/Arctic Cat’s Tucker Hibbert captured his seventh consecutive Snocross gold medal Sunday afternoon with a dominant performance at X Games Aspen 2014.
The 12-time medalist is the first winter athlete to win seven back-to-back gold medals and is tied with snowboarder Kelly Clark to hold the most medals in one X Games discipline.
Hibbert immediately set pace on Buttermilk Mountain’s technical counterclockwise track by laying down the fastest lap(44.4 seconds) in Sunday morning’s timed practice giving him number one pick in the 12-rider, 8-lap qualifying race. He was quick off the line in his heat race and led every lap to earn a direct ticket into the final.
With temperatures in the mid-30s and a clear blue sky, 15 of the world’s top snocross riders lined up for the 16-lap final event. Hibbert pulled a massive holeshot down the start straight and nearly high-sided in the 180-degree left-hand turn but kept his sled under control to hit the first rhythm section out front. With every lap, he extended his lead while the track continued to deteriorate and become more challenging. With full control of the race, he backed down to ride the remaining laps smart and smooth to capture his eighth overall gold medal by 13 seconds.
Hibbert and his team will now travel to Deadwood, South Dakota for rounds seven and eight of the ISOC National Snocross tour. Stay connected to tucker-hibbert.com to follow him chase his eighth pro national snocross title this winter.
Tucker Hibbert - #68 Monster Energy/Arctic Cat
“It’s rewarding to get another gold. X Games is a super fun race and an event I’ve been taking really serious for quite a few years. It’s the goal to have everything go as smooth as it did and I’m really excited about it. I felt really confident and comfortable on the track all weekend. I know that confidence comes from the hard work, practice and testing we put in as a team before the race. I strongly believe in our program and it pulled us through this weekend again. The racetrack was pretty technical. The timing sections up the hill were tricky and it was choppy coming down the hill. It was really a mix of everything and one of the more challenging tracks we’ve had at X Games. I’m a racer and I’m motivated to win. I have to keep working hard and doing what I’m doing. I believe I have more years of winning in me and am excited for what the future holds.”
X Games Aspen 2014—Snocross Final Replay
Fast Facts
• Hometown: Pelican Rapids, Minnesota
• 11-Time X Games Medalist
• Seven-Time National Snocross Champion – 86 National Pro Wins
• 2012 and 2010 FIM Snowcross World Champion
