Press Release
Mogul skier wants to pass on opportunity for others
Cariboo Press
Sat 25 Oct 2008
Page: 0001
Section: Kelowna Capital News - Sports
Kristi Richards, 2007 World Champion for women's moguls, will returnhome in the middle of her fall training schedule to host her annual Supporting the Dream Legacy Fund Dinner, Saturday Nov. 8.
Richards founded the charity in 2007.
"I received a lot of support from the community when I was getting started and now I want to filter that down to our athletes in the Okanagan," Richards said.
The Supporting the Dream Legacy Fund is administered by Community Foundations of the Southern Okanagan.
The Dream Legacy fund is a permanent endowment ensuring the fund will give in perpetuity to Okanagan athletes.
This year's Dream Legacy Fund Dinner is the second major event supporting the fund and Richards is hoping to build on last year's success.
Long-time Richards supporters Sumac Ridge have supplied the wine.
The event will be held at the Summerland Waterfront Resort, which has donated the location and staffing.
"This year we are going to have great auction items again, for both the silent and live auctions," explained Richards.
Autographed Bon Jovi items, a Marcus Naslund signed jersey, signed team Canada gear and locally donated items will all be up for grabs.
Richards is hoping for a repeat of last year's generous results. "I know the talent is out there in the Okanagan and it is tough for our athletes to get the funding they need," said Richards.
Richards remains proud of the strong support she received from the local community when she was first gaining national and international attention.
Today, she has the backing of her sport federation to cover her travel costs.
Richards found herself home for a single day in between returning from a training trip in Chile and departing for the next 10-day round of training in Switzerland.
"We follow the snow," she said.
It is two years out from the 2010 Winter Olympics and Richards is prepping to add a new trick to her repertoire, what she calls a "back full."
"It is a back flip with a full twist and for sure the highest difficulty trick any women are doing right now."
In the past, Richards has struggled with injury, right now she is injury free.
I'm super healthy right now. I'm really strong," she said.
"It's been really nice to have a full training season. I've been able to concentrate on my technique.
"I am surprised at how bang on I am for my goals, looking back to the goals I made in 2006, I am bang on."
After Richards returns home from Switzerland, she will be in the Okanagan long enough to help organize the Supporting the Dream Legacy Fund Dinner.
Following the banquet, she is hoping Apex has enough snow so she can continue her training at home in the Okanagan.
"Surprisingly Apex gets some early snow. We need to be able to train somewhere that has the snow and the training facilities we need."
As the defending World Cup Champion, Richards is looking forward to the upcoming season to defend her title and prepare for the 2010 Olympics.
"This season is huge. It is the start of the qualifying for the Olympics.
"As the reigning world champ, I know there are expectations, that's a reality, but on a personal level as long as I am skiing my best and having fun I'll be happy."
Richards is hoping the Dream Legacy Fund Dinner will be a roaring success and the funds raised will help young athletes go after some of the same thrilling experiences she has had.
"It's so exciting, you're against the clock, it's super fast and precise, and then you just huck yourself off a jump."
Mogul skier wants to pass on opportunity for others
Cariboo Press
Sat 25 Oct 2008
Page: 0001
Section: Kelowna Capital News - Sports
Kristi Richards, 2007 World Champion for women's moguls, will returnhome in the middle of her fall training schedule to host her annual Supporting the Dream Legacy Fund Dinner, Saturday Nov. 8.
Richards founded the charity in 2007.
"I received a lot of support from the community when I was getting started and now I want to filter that down to our athletes in the Okanagan," Richards said.
The Supporting the Dream Legacy Fund is administered by Community Foundations of the Southern Okanagan.
The Dream Legacy fund is a permanent endowment ensuring the fund will give in perpetuity to Okanagan athletes.
This year's Dream Legacy Fund Dinner is the second major event supporting the fund and Richards is hoping to build on last year's success.
Long-time Richards supporters Sumac Ridge have supplied the wine.
The event will be held at the Summerland Waterfront Resort, which has donated the location and staffing.
"This year we are going to have great auction items again, for both the silent and live auctions," explained Richards.
Autographed Bon Jovi items, a Marcus Naslund signed jersey, signed team Canada gear and locally donated items will all be up for grabs.
Richards is hoping for a repeat of last year's generous results. "I know the talent is out there in the Okanagan and it is tough for our athletes to get the funding they need," said Richards.
Richards remains proud of the strong support she received from the local community when she was first gaining national and international attention.
Today, she has the backing of her sport federation to cover her travel costs.
Richards found herself home for a single day in between returning from a training trip in Chile and departing for the next 10-day round of training in Switzerland.
"We follow the snow," she said.
It is two years out from the 2010 Winter Olympics and Richards is prepping to add a new trick to her repertoire, what she calls a "back full."
"It is a back flip with a full twist and for sure the highest difficulty trick any women are doing right now."
In the past, Richards has struggled with injury, right now she is injury free.
I'm super healthy right now. I'm really strong," she said.
"It's been really nice to have a full training season. I've been able to concentrate on my technique.
"I am surprised at how bang on I am for my goals, looking back to the goals I made in 2006, I am bang on."
After Richards returns home from Switzerland, she will be in the Okanagan long enough to help organize the Supporting the Dream Legacy Fund Dinner.
Following the banquet, she is hoping Apex has enough snow so she can continue her training at home in the Okanagan.
"Surprisingly Apex gets some early snow. We need to be able to train somewhere that has the snow and the training facilities we need."
As the defending World Cup Champion, Richards is looking forward to the upcoming season to defend her title and prepare for the 2010 Olympics.
"This season is huge. It is the start of the qualifying for the Olympics.
"As the reigning world champ, I know there are expectations, that's a reality, but on a personal level as long as I am skiing my best and having fun I'll be happy."
Richards is hoping the Dream Legacy Fund Dinner will be a roaring success and the funds raised will help young athletes go after some of the same thrilling experiences she has had.
"It's so exciting, you're against the clock, it's super fast and precise, and then you just huck yourself off a jump."