Kristi Richards plans for the future
Whistler, B.C. – After participating in two Winter Olympic Games, winning the 2007 World Championships and standing on the FIS World Cup podium nine times, Canadian Freestyle mogul maven Kristi Richards announced today that she intends to carry on for another quadrennial and shoot for an Olympic medal in Sochi in 2014.
After qualifying fourth for the finals at the Vancouver 2010 Games, Richards crashed in her final mogul run and finished in 20th spot. However, her Games performance inspired many a Canadian fan who lauded her tenacity and sportsmanship when, after her devastating fall, she picked herself up, brushed herself off, and wound the crowd into a frenzy with a huge full-twisting back flip off the bottom jump of the Cypress course.
Already a veteran of the bumps and a leader of her team, in four years time Richards, who is from Summerland, B.C. and now lives in Pemberton, will be 32 — not exactly a youngster for a body pounding sport like mogul skiing.
However, Canadian Freestyle Ski Association CEO, Peter Judge, said that age is often an advantage in freestyle, especially for women – as long as they stay healthy.
“Historically, the women’s side of the mogul field is always older than the men’s. Usually female talents that rise up can sustain the sport for longer. We have many examples of this, including Donna Weinbrecht and Kari Traa.”
Weinbrecht, who hails from the U.S. won her 5th FIS Crystal Globe when she was 31. Traa earned three Olympic mogul medals for Norway, including a gold at the 2002 Games and a silver in 2006, when she was 32.
Judge said that with backing from Own the Podium, the CFSA has put together an excellent integrated support team of health practitioners that has been helping to keep athletes like Richards strong and fit.
“Richards is in a prime position and she’s proven that she’s willing to work hard. And, she has the maturity that will give her an edge. Next time around the stars just might align for her,” said Judge, referring to Richards bittersweet performance at the Vancouver 2010 Games.
Richards’ coach, Stephen Fearing dubbed her decision to go for Sochi a “no brainer,” adding, “She has in no way reached her peak, she’s still continuing to improve every training camp.”
Fearing said in preparation for the Sochi Games Richards will work on consistently transferring her excellent skiing skills to the competition environment and continue to work on her jumps – especially her full-twisting back flip.
For her part, Richards said that Sochi fits perfectly into her plans for the future.
“I really love the lifestyle of being an athlete. It is all encompassing for a healthy body, mind and soul. Striving for excellence keeps me focused and honest with myself. I am looking forward to the experiences that will come in the next four years and I plan to use them to evolve. I also love that I can inspire others to follow their dreams and live a healthy life. I plan to continue to push the boundaries of our sport and my ability by doing new jumps, skiing faster and having the most technically correct turns on the World Cup circuit.”
For more information, or to schedule an interview with Richards, please contact Canadian Freestyle Ski Association Media Relations Manager Kelley Korbin at: kelleykorbin@freestyleski.com.
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