Date of Birth:  October 27, 1981
	Place of Birth: Penticton, BC
	Residence: Summerland, BC
Years on National Team:  4	Height:  N/A
	Weight: N/A

Kristi Richards, 24, of Summerland, BC, is another of Canada's young Olympians to make her debut at Turin. She began skiing at the tender age of three at the Apex Mountain Resort under the guidance of her grandfather. At the age of 12, she joined the Apex Freestyle team and began focusing on the mogul event.

Thus far, Richards' career has been hampered by injuries. In June of 2003, while training on the Blackcomb glacier, she suffered a torn ACL ligament that would eventually require season-ending surgery. Kristi returned good as new for the 2004-2005 season and started strong with a stellar ninth-place finish at a World Cup event in Lake Placid. Unfortunately, in February of 2005, at a World Cup event in Japan, she suffered a spleen injury during a horrific crash and was forced to miss the remainder of the season. She still managed to finish 20th-overall on the World Cup circuit, but missed the World Championships for the second straight year.

The 2005-06 season is looking up for Richards. She already has fifth and second-place finishes at World Cup events in Deer Valley, Utah and Oberstdorf, Germany, respectively.

Though she may not be on most peoples' radar because of her past injuries, count on Richards to put up a strong fight in Italy.





2006 Freestyleskiing Coverage