BIOGRAPHY
A Type 1 diabetic, Freeman has posted the best U.S. cross country distance results since the Bill Koch era of the early 1980s, and he isn't showing any signs of letting up. 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, placing fourth at the 2003 and 2009 World Championships (the best U.S. result in over two decades). Despite battling health issues, the distance guru competed in the 2010 Olympics, and got back on track in 2011, adding a level of consistency to his game while recording three top-10 finishes in addition to capturing the 50k classic U.S. title, his 14 title overall.

KRIS SAYS
I had a very solid 2011 season. I had three top-10 finishes and skied in the tour de ski (an eight stage race in early January) for the first time. I liked the tour format a lot, and I have made finishing in the top ten in next year's event one of my primary goals. 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 two, 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. He took leave from the University of Vermont after one season, joining the U.S. cross country residence program in Park City in 2000. I'll definitely get a degree, but I couldn't give it the attention it needs now.

OFF THE SNOW
I spend a lot of time working on diabetes advocacy. There is a staggering amount of negative misinformation about juvenile diabetes. I'm working 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.