With a silver medal Saturday and gold medal Friday, Kristi Richards of Summerland, B.C., is off to the best start of her freestyle ski World Cup career.
Jenn Heil and Kristi Richards shared the podium today
After posting mediocre jumps in the qualifying round, she was the 15th of 16 qualifiers for Saturday’s final. However, the 2007 world moguls champion rallied to grab the silver medal, just ahead of bronze medallist Jenn Heil of Spruce Grove, Alta.
“I feel everything is just coming together,” said Richards, 28. “I’ve been working on the same technique for four years, and it’s time (to perform).”
Richards was in jeopardy of missing Saturday’s final after almost failing to land her opening jump, but she picked up the pace to qualify. After that, it was more up-tempo skiing and cleaner jumps in the final.
“There was nothing to lose, so I was one of the fastest again and I skied like I know how to ski.”
With podium appearances in two Europa Cups and two World Cups this season, Richards says she has the feeling her inconsistency last season is a thing of the past.
