November 14, 2006 – Salomon is happy to announce the eleven-person Subaru Factory Team for 2006/2007. The team consists of members with credentials ranging from local marathon champions to Olympic/World Championship competitors. The Subaru Factory Team’s veteran athletes are Lars Flora, Kristina Strandberg, Abigail Larson, Chad Giese, Justin Easter, Kate Underwood, and Patrick Weaver.

Lars Flora, a two time Olympian, has set his sights on winning the overall SuperTour, making his way to Japan for the World Championships, and finishing his season on the World Cup – a privilege earned by winning the SuperTour overall title. Lars has perhaps the most big-race experience of anyone on the Subaru Factory Team, and he is anxious to get another season started.

Kristina Strandberg, the two-time FIS Marathon Cup champion, looks to defend her title again this season. This cup is new to the US ski circuit as of two years ago, but Strandberg proved that she was able to balance a Ph.D. program and ski racing in a way that yielded consistency. Look for another season of strong races from Kristina. Kristina has been attending school at the University of New Mexico, and is looking forward to a slightly lighter workload giving her more flexibility to race in the coming season.

Abigail Larson made her Olympic debut in 2006. In the years before this Olympics her dream of becoming an Olympian had almost been abandoned but with hard work and dedication her dream became a reality. Abby has entered a Ph.D. program in Exercise Science at the University of Utah, but will continue to train around a rigorous school schedule. Abby will to be a force in any race she enters, but is taking this season one day at a time.

Chad Giese, ’05-’06 FIS Marathon Cup Champion, will work to continue his dominance in the US marathon circuit. Chad had a brilliant showing at the season-concluding SuperTour Spring Series races in Northern Maine. Chad raced with the strength that he had shown all season, and proved that he will not fade in the near future. Chad has made minor adjustments to his training schedule in the past seven months, and will be the man to watch for a repeat FIS Marathon Cup overall title.

Justin Easter is back on the Subaru Factory Team for his fourth season. After a solid ‘05/’06 season, including a victory at the North American Vasa, Justin decided he liked being on the podium and has made a few adjustments his training routine to ensure a consistently better ‘06/’07 season. He will travel to Europe prior to the Birkie to fulfill his goal of racing against an international crowd. Look for a consistent season with marked improvements over last year. Justin will remain the Editor of SkiPost, and looks forward to sharing knowledge and expertise with the readers.

Kate Underwood has been living in Sun Valley and training with the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation since last spring. Kate has shown that she has amazing range in her ski abilities. She is a contender in short races through grueling marathons. After a great showing at last year’s spring series including a 3rd place finish (2nd American) in the 30KM classic, she has taken the resolve she has shown during races, and brought it to her training philosophy. Look for Kate to race fast from the season’s beginning to its end.

Patrick Weaver doesn’t seem to slow down. Patrick is a newlywed as of the summer, has pursued a career as a carpenter, and still manages to find time for beneficial ski training. Patrick is a two-time Olympian with a wealth of knowledge to share. His slow transition away from skiing has only been slowed further by his continuing success. Look for another solid year on the marathon circuit from one of our sport’s finest ambassadors.

There is some new blood on the Subaru Factory Team for the coming year. Carl Swenson presence on the Factory Team is not new. He was on the team for three seasons before being re-named to the US Ski Team in 2002. Last season, Carl competed in his third Olympic Games, but he is no stranger to the domestic marathon circuit. In 1998 Carl won the American Birkiebeiner, and will be looking to balance the rigors of attaining a law degree from the University of Utah with continuing ski success with the Subaru Factory Team.

The University of Utah has another member of the Subaru Factory Team pursuing a doctoral degree, Tav Streit. Tav spent a few seasons as the Head Nordic Coach of the University of Nevada-Reno before taking last year to begin the doctoral process. Tav is also a recent newlywed – a very recent discovery that we need to get to the bottom of. Tav will look for success on the FIS Marathon Cup circuit, and hopes to extend his racing knowledge into all of the races he enters this coming season.

Justin Freeman capped off his tenure on the US Ski Team with a visit to the Olympics. Justin and his wife came home from the Olympics with a life-changing result. Justin is now a father. As he pointed out, the math adds up – we trust him, because he is very smart. Justin was on his way to obtain a doctorial degree at the University of Colorado before he took his leave to pursue a professional ski career. Justin is making the transition to distance races, and will be the Subaru Factory Team’s primary representative in the northeast. Justin is teaching in New Hampshire, but you can be sure that he will balance all facets of his life with his continuing success as a skier.

Jana Reehemaa is the Subaru Factory Team’s only female newcomer this season. She comes from a family familiar with success, as she is a first cousin of Olympic Champion Kristina Smigun and former Factory Team skier Katrin Smigun. A native of Estonia and recent graduate of the University of Colorado, Jana chose to extend her stay in the US to focus on racing. Jana will make a serious attempt to win the overall SuperTour title this winter – a feat that would also allow her to finish her season on the World Cup.

The Subaru Factory Team is pleased to have Jean Pascal (JP) Laurin along for another season as the Head Wax Technician. JP made the Factory Team’s transition to Salomon skis very natural last season. JP worked with the Japanese National Team on the World Cup two years ago. JP is fond of driving the Factory Team’s wax bus across the country, and looks forward to another successful season with this talented group of athletes.

JP will have different company waxing this season. Bertrand Regard left the Subaru Factory Team to work for Salomon on the World Cup this season. Kevin Johnson of Plymouth, MN hopes to fill the void Bertrand has left. Kevin has had a successful career as a coach, and worked directly for SWIX last season as a representative in the Midwest. Kevin will serve as the Factory Team’s delegate at coaches meetings, and will be instrumental in the team’s coordination throughout the season.