Thief River Falls,
MN - Sara Haines is a
contributing correspondent for NBC News' TODAY. Haines appears daily on the
fourth hour of TODAY alongside hosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb, covering
fan updates and interacting with viewers via Facebook, Twitter and KLGandHoda.com.
Haines recently visited the Arctic Cat factory in Thief
River Falls, MN to film a segment that will tentatively air on March 5 at 11 a.m. CT. (Check your local
listings.) Haines rolled up her sleeves and learned how to build a 2014 ZR 6000
El Tigre snowmobile on the assembly line, where she loaded the robotic
self-piercing rivet cells and installed shocks, hoods and even windshields.
"We were amazed at how quickly Sara adapted to working on
our snowmobile assembly line," said Arctic Cat manufacturing manager Troy Skime.
"We would be honored to hire her and most importantly, the ZR 6000 El Tigre she
assembled passed our inspection."
After her visit to the Arctic Cat Factory, Haines took a
trip to Fertile, MN, to spend the afternoon at the Christian Bros. race shop
with the goal of learning how to ride with Team Arctic racer and current ISOC snocross
points leader Tucker Hibbert.
Haines started her snocross learning experience aboard Evan
Christian's Arctic Cat Sno Pro 500 with direction from Hibbert on how to use
the throttle and brakes, lean in the corners and even how to stand up while
riding on an oval track. She then progressed to the National-sized snocross
track that the Pro racers use.
"Sara was nervous but is a fast learner, and immediately she
looked comfortable on the Sno Pro 500,"
Hibbert said. "In no time, she moved up from the flat oval track to the actual
National-level snocross track. She didn't want to stop riding and even caught a
little air. It was impressive for a first-time rider and her huge smile proved
that everyone should try snowmobiling."