Kris Freeman

Kris called yesterday morning (evening for him). He’s back in Japan. He had a couple of so-so nights of sleep in a row, but is feeling good. His training heart rates are extremely low and his confidence is very high.

After discussing the options with the USST coaches Kris decided not to do the sprint on Thursday. In large part the decision was influenced by ski testing opportunities. The sprint is held indoors(!) in a big dome with very different snow from the distance courses. Any time spent testing and dialing skis for the sprint is time not spent getting to know what will work outside.

So what will work outside? Yesterday Kris went classic skiing. He started on hairies, went to klister skis, went back to hairies, but then wishes he had klister… The conditions are just what they thought - wet, and difficult to deal with. For better or worse it sounds as though skis may play a very big role in these races. Kris has received some 812 klister skis - slightly lower camber and stiffer finishing that what he’s accustomed to using in the 902 (wet) construction. He’s been pleased with the way these skis feel - allowing him to length the kick and be less impulsive in soft conditions. He’s also got some good soft snow skate skis.