BIOGRAPHY
Despite managing his illness as a Type 1 diabetic, for over a decade Kris Freeman has posted the best U.S. cross country distance results since the Bill Koch era of the early 1980s, and continues to lead as the veteran of the Team. The New Hampshire native's accolades include winning the inaugural Under-23 championships race in Italy, being the first American to qualify for the exclusive "Red Group"—the top 30 athletes on the World Cup circuit and, among others, narrowly missing the medals placing fourth at the 2003 and 2009 World Championships (the best U.S. result in over two decades). Following a very strong 2011 World Cup season, Freeman was off the pace a bit in 2012 as he looked for a new balance in managing his diabetes while competing. He wrapped up the season strong, winning a pair of SuperTours in Vermont and taking his 15th U.S. title.

KRIS SAYS
I continue to work with my endocrinologists and Eli Lilly to innovate new ways to regulate my diabetes throughout the grueling World Cup season. By focusing equal energy on keeping my sugar from being either too low or too high I had my most consistent season ever, taking World Cup points in 17 races this year. I plan to use this newfound consistency to springboard to the podium next winter.

FIRST TRACKS
Dad would pull young Freeman around on a sled; at 2, he was skiing and early in his teens tried nordic combined for a couple of seasons before focusing on cross country. He also was an outstanding high school runner. Freeman followed in the footsteps of his older brother and former U.S. Ski Team athlete, Justin. He spent a year skiing for the University of Vermont before joining the U.S. cross country residence program in Park City in 2000.

OFF THE SNOW
Freeman spends a lot of time working on diabetes advocacy, traveling the country to share his experiences with others. There is a staggering amount of negative misinformation about juvenile diabetes and he works to get positive and correct information out about diabetes - especially to kids with the disease. “I like to travel around to camps for kids with diabetes and encourage them to never set limits for themselves because of their disease.”