Waterville Valley Resort heard about Kris’s funding being cut by USSA and immediately stepped in to hire Kris, utilize his talents, and keep his health care benefits in tact while he trains.
(TRAVPR.COM) USA - October 31st, 2013 - WATERVILLE VALLEY, NH – Waterville Valley Resort is proud is to announce 3-Time Olympian Kris Freeman is joining the Waterville Valley Resort family as their newest Nordic Racing Instructor. After reading about Kris’s funding being cut by The US Ski Team in last week’s Wall Street Journal article, resort Owner and General Manager Chris Sununu made the immediate decision to step up and help out a local hero.
Kris will continue to train throughout the ski season in preparation for his 4th Olympic appearance for the United States at 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. As a competitor on the world stage for more than a decade, Kris excels in long distances winning a World Championship in the 30km and is the reigning National Champion in the 50km, which he has won 3 straight years.
Despite Kris’s recent national achievements, his international ranking did not earn him an ‘automatic’ spot on the US Ski and Snowboard Association’s team. With the US Ski Team choosing to develop younger athletes, Kris was bumped from the program even though he remains top ranked in USSA points.
Waterville Valley Resort heard about Kris’s funding being cut by USSA and immediately stepped in to hire Kris, utilize his talents, and keep his health care benefits in tact while he trains.
"I began skiing at Waterville Valley when I was four years old. When I grew up, I moved as close to the mountain as I could because it is still my favorite place in the world to ski. I am grateful to Waterville Valley for running such an awesome facility and for all of their support."
After being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2000, Kris became a pioneer in sports medicine as he continued to race at the highest level with an insulin pump. Constant calibrations are needed to accommodate to different climate, altitude, stresses and fatigue. Every race is an experiment as he continues to break ground for athletes with diabetes.
“There was no question for us about helping out a local hero like Kris,” said Waterville Valley Resort CEO and General Manager Chris Sununu. “We are proud to have him on board to bring so much experience and knowledge to an already top notch staff. It’s no accident that Waterville Valley Resort is now home to both America’s greatest cross-country skier in addition to America’s greatest freestyle skier Hannah Kearney. We’re looking forward to seeing them both bring medals from Sochi back to New Hampshire this winter.”
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