January 7, 2013 – With his home state fans behind him, Monster Energy/Arctic Cat’s Tucker Hibbert rallied to dominant victories Friday and Saturday night at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn. The reigning World Champion rode with confidence and precision throughout the qualifying rounds and final events to sweep his first national event in three years; taking the ISOC Pro Open Championship points lead in the process.
Photo Credit: John Hanson
After finishing 1-1 in his qualifying rounds, Hibbert was awarded the number one pick for Friday night’s 15-rider, 22-lap final. He ripped the Stud Boy holeshot and never looked back to win the main event by 16 seconds.
Hibbert woke up Saturday as the new Pro Open Championship red plate holder. He went on to convincingly win both qualifying rounds but had to dig deep in the final. At the close of lap one he found himself in third with Ross Martin and Tim Tremblay battling out front. He didn’t let them out of his sight and methodically picked off both riders to take the lead. He continued to push forward and when the checkers flew, he had lapped every rider but the second place finisher.
Next up for Hibbert is ESPN Winter X Games January 27 in Aspen where he will compete for the first-ever gold medal six-peat. This year marks his 13th appearance at the high-profile event. He holds the record for being the youngest athlete to win a gold medal and with ten medals to his name, is the most decorated snowmobile athlete in X Games history. Fans worldwide can watch the event live on ESPN.
Tucker Hibbert – #68 Monster Energy/Arctic Cat
“It’s really exciting to sweep an event again. We (the team) have been working hard and it’s paying off. We’re all excited about the rest of the season.
It felt awesome to win Friday, then to take the points lead put it on a different level. I was down over 20 points after Duluth. I started to dig myself out of that hole at Bessemer and pushed to the top this weekend at Canterbury. It was rewarding to walk into the trailer Saturday morning and see the red plates on my sled. It definitely gave the entire team extra spark and motivation.
It’s a good deal to have wins under my belt before Winter X. The team is riding high and has newfound motivation to work even harder. To sweep an event right before X is the best thing that could have happened for us. All of our focus is now on X and to take the six-peat.”
Photo Credit: John Hanson
Fast Facts
• Hometown: Pelican Rapids, Minnesota
• 2012 and 2010 FIM Snowcross World Champion
• Six-Time National Snocross Champion – 73 National Pro Wins
• 10-Time ESPN Winter X Games Medalist
Resources
www.tucker-hibbert.com • www.monsterenergy.com • www.arcticcat.com • www.isocracing.com • www.xgames.com
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