After years of top results, in 2003 Justin Freeman made the World Championship Team and was named to the US Ski Team.
Age: 26
Height: 5'11.5"
Weight: 173
Single or married: married
Hometown: Andover, NH
Current town of residence: Park City
Coach: Trond Nystad, Zach Caldwell
Sponsors: I am very happy to have just signed with Fischer skis this year. I
am also still sponsored by Toko and Rudy Project.
Favorite food: blueberry pie
Favorite musical artist: Blues Traveler
Did you take a vacation after this past race season ended?
I went to Santorini, Greece, and got married at sunset at a beautiful chapel
overlooking the caldera and the volcano.
What is your favorite place to ski?
Waterville Valley is my hands down favorite place to ski.
Favorite place to race?
I have skied a lot of race venues around the world and never seen the equal
of Soldier Hollow.
Why do you enjoy being a ski racer?
I love both the experience of gliding, almost flying, over fast snow. And I
love competing, especially when I win.
If you weren't a ski racer, what would you be doing?
If I didn't have to race all the time, I would have more time for more leisurely
skiing.
What do you do to pass the time when you are on the road at races and training
camps?
The way I use my free time tends to devolve over the course of the season. At
the beginning, I rework proofs from abstract algebra and play with quantum mechanics
using Dirac notation. Then I start reading classic novels, then I move to bad
novels, magazines on the _Maxim_ level of sophistication, and finally on to
watching TV continuously, even if there are no English channels available.
What were your best and worst races last season?
My best race was my win at the West Yellowstone NorAm race. My worst was the
10 km classic at Eastern Spring Series.
How do you deal with bad races?
In the case of the 10 km I just mentioned, badly. Very badly. I'd rather not
elaborate.
What are your racing goals for the upcoming season?
Win some domestic races, score some World Cup points in Europe.
How do you feel about the changes in race format over the past few years?
I think that rethinking formats can be good for the sport but that the number
of mass start races is starting to get excessive.
What is your take on the issue of doping in cross country ski racing these
days?
Doping control is working, and is making the playing field more level, but FIS
needs to take the next step and get even more aggressive about testing, both
in and out of competition. There was very little testing at World Championships
this year, and a fair amount of speculation that FIS really didn't want to catch
anyone. The best suggestion I have heard for changing penalties is forcing banned
athletes to apply for reinstatement — no remorse would mean no more racing.
What changes will you be making to your training plan for this year?
More speed and strength oriented training.
Do you have a favorite interval workout?
No. But basically the harder the better.
What was your most memorable workout(s) last year?
Hard to say. Six hour run over five major New Hampshire mountains? Four times
12 minutes level four skate intervals on rollerskis.
If you had to eat lunch at a fast-food restaurant, where would you go and
what would you order?
Subway, 12 inch veggie sub, no olives.
Can you give us a single piece of advice for aspiring Junior skiers?
Talk to coaches, talk to athletes, ask questions, learn as much as you can about
good training and good skiing.
How about some advice for Masters skiers?
Buy product from my sponsors.
Tell them it is only because of my endorsement.
