We asked Kris Freeman about racing and his preparations for the Olympics.
Kris Freeman: I can feel a peak coming around the corner
FasterSkier · February 2, 2006
, 18th in the 15-k freestyle and 20th in the 30-k pursuit (only 28 seconds from first). How did you experience these races? </b></p><p>– The phrase I use to describe the world cups in Canada is “satisfyingly frustratingâ€. I was happy with how close to the winners I was but disappointed with my overall placing. I have been racing in the top thirty and top twenty for three years now and I am anxious for a jump to consistent top tens and podium finishes.</p><p><b>How was US Nationals for you? </b></p><p>– When I am frustrated and anxious I tend to train too much and too hard. Because of this I came into nationals a little under the weather. I got stronger throughout the week but I<br />
never felt great. If nationals were high on my priority list I would have tapered beforehand but I am doing everything I can think of to be at a peak in Turin. </p></div><div class=)
You struggled in the recent 30-k pursuit in Oberstdorf. Was that a result of jetlag and what are you currently focusing on in you training in order to improve on your “25 and 28 seconds behind the winner” results from December?
– Obviously Carl, Andrew and I were all off in the last world cup. It’s very hard to race after only one week to adapt to European time. We were all severely jetlagged. It was difficult to know what to do leading up to the race because if I didn't train much I wasn't tired enough to sleep at night. But if I trained a lot I knew I would be too tired to race well. I knew going into the race that it was either going to be really good, or really bad. It was really bad.
Which individual races are you focusing on at the Olympics?
– My primary focus is on the 15k classic. I am also planning to ski a classic leg in the 4×10 relay and to race the 50k free. Trond and I will decide after Davos if I will race the pursuit. The pursuit is the first race and is 4 days prior to 15k. I want to be fresh for the classic so we may skip the pursuit.
Skiing well in the upcoming 15-k classic World Cup race in Davos seems important as a confidence builder. How are you approaching this race?
– Yes, Davos will be important for confidence building. I have very high goals and no one takes it harder than I do when I fall short of them. Davos is the venue that I have had my best World Cup result on so hopefully the course will treat me kindly again. I learn more about this sport every year. Hopefully I can use that experience to make something special happen at the Olympics. For the last week and a half I have be training in Seiser Alm. I have been skiing very low volume at a very slow pace. I'm trying to conserve as much energy as I can, because I know the next few weeks will be crazy. I can feel a peak coming around the corner. I hope it will be high enough.