Our next state champion spotlight is sophomore Landon Marquis of Camden Hills. He won the 2023 Class A Slalom state title. He also won the KVAC slalom and giant slalom titles. We asked him about his starting gate thinking and his plans for next year.
1) What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?
My first preparations leading up to the state meet was focusing on generating more speed in between turns. My second preparation was focusing on my technical training at Franconia Ski Club (FSC) in New Hampshire every weekend.
2) How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?
I dealt with the pressure and emotions by surrounding myself with fun people. This allowed me to take my mind off of the race and not overthink the race.
3) What was going through your mind at the starting gate?
When im in the start gate I need to clear my mind so I typically sing a mellow song in my head to clear it and clam me down.
4) What do you contribute your success to?
Every day is a successful day because even when you have a bad run your learning from the mistakes you made in that run and your putting that forward so you can do better in the future.
5) What are your goals/plans for next year?
My goals/plans for next year are to have fun with ski racing and try different techniques/strategies to be faster.
6) What surprised you the most about this season?
I was surprised by the comradery between all the competing schools.
7) What moment/event will you remember the most from the season?
I will remember the trip to states and all the memories me and my friends from other teams and my own for a long time.
8) What do you like most about Alpine Skiing?
I enjoy that it is a very difficult sport mentally and physically because it really challenges you as a person and how it can also be a escape from everything.
9) Anything else that you would like to add?
This year was more difficult mentally and physically than years previous due to I fractured my L2, ruptured my L4 and L5 disk and suffered a severe grade 3 concussion in a super G crash March of last year.