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Tabitha Williams interview
“It’s definitely been a bit unconventional, but I’m really glad for the path I’ve chosen”
“I’m a pretty type A person, and I’m pretty efficient with getting things done. It’s a lot of late nights, but I’m strict with myself and that makes it work.”
Tabitha Williams is speaking from her campus at the University of Alaska Fairbanks; it’s shortly before 7am UK time, which makes it almost 10pm in Alaska. If she’d wanted to find a way to demonstrate those type A characteristics, and the stamina which is fast becoming a hallmark of her athletic ability, there’s probably no better way she could have done it.
We’re speaking at the end of something of a breakthrough year for Williams – “probably my most successful season to date,” she calls it – and excitement is building around the 20-year-old Cross-Country skier. She dropped below the 100 FIS points barrier, took her first NCAA podium, ended up second in Canadian Nationals, and broke into the top 20 at U23 World Championships for the first time, a competition that had seasoned observers talking in encouraging tones about her prospects.
So, what made her one of the hottest properties in the next generation of British Cross-Country talent?
“I’ve still got a lot of development to do,” she demurs, “but I felt good right from the start of the ski season, and felt like I came into it incredibly fit which gave me a good platform.”
That qualifier around the ski season is important, because not only is Williams growing her reputation on the Cross-Country ski circuit; she’s also a highly-rated Cross-Country runner for her college.
“My season actually begins in September,” she explains, “and I set a PB in the 6km in the first two weeks of the season and ended up getting an All American, which helped my team qualify or finals for the first time in 11 years which was crazy.
“We did pretty well there, and then I came into the ski season feeling in good form. I did get sick over Christmas which was a bit of a setback, but I had a great camp with the team in Norway, managed a good taper into the U23 World Championships, and then PBd in the 10k, and then followed it up with the Team Relay which was even better.”
The Team Relay result – a tenth placed finish achieved with a young team in a field comprising some of the world’s best U23 Nordic talent – made people sit up and take notice. Something Williams is well aware of.
“It was amazing. We beat some really big teams, which was great for us, and then when I came back to college I just felt on really good form. I got my first NCAA podium, backed it up with a couple of top-10s in Alaska, and then finished up my season at the Canadian Nationals with second place. So yeah, this year felt pretty good.”
Pretty good might be an understatement, especially given it opens a route to what may see a first World Cup start next year, but even with that body of work behind her, Williams is clear about where her strengths lie – and what she sees as her next areas of development.
“I know I’ve got good fitness and I’ve been racing with one of my college teammates who’s been on the World Cup circuit this year, so I’ve got a good benchmark for the trajectory I’m on.
“We talk a lot, and one of the biggest things she’s pointed out is the technical strength the best World Cup skiers have. One of the biggest differences is that the World Cups you’re on TV, people are able to look at you and make their own judgements, and honestly I don’t want to go on TV and make a fool of myself!”
There seems little prospect of that, but listening to Williams speak, it’s clear that it’s less self-deprecation, and more a determination to make the most of her considerable talents and mentality. How, then, does that shape her focus heading into next season?
“I’ve been racing for GB for a few years now,” she explains, “and the route to a World Cup start for GB is definitely pretty challenging, and actually takes a bit longer than it might for some of the other nations on the circuit, but for me that’s actually a good thing.
“Of course I want a World Cup start, but I always want to wait until I’m ready to have a good result there. I don’t want to just be racing to come in at the bottom. I want to go there when I’m ready, and I think this is the first time I really feel that’s the case.”
For Williams, then, the British system is the right one for her, a sentiment that’s backed by strong British roots – born in London to British parents, before a relocation to North America at the age of two; a boyfriend based in Scotland, and regular training camps with the British team – and a well-established connection with Joe Davies, longstanding family friend Gabe Gledhill, and an early meeting with Andrew Musgrave some years ago as important in her integration into the team.
And for Britain, Williams feels like the right athlete at the right time. In an exceptional season for British skiers and snowboarders across the board, Williams’ performances stood out among a promising and fast-developing Cross-Country squad.
“Even from years ago, I always knew I wanted to race for GB,” she concludes. “I’ve really felt like I’m a part of the community, and it’s all been really positive. “I feel ready I’m ready for more now, ready to make that jump next season. Mine’s definitely been a bit of an unconventional path, for sure, but I’m glad I’ve been able to wait it out and get some good experiences under my belt. I’m just really glad for the path I’ve chos
