January 19, 2010 (Park City, UT) – The naming of the 2010 USA Olympic cross-country ski team earlier on Tuesday was followed up by a teleconference with many journalists from around the country. We had the opportunity to take part and here are some of quotes by coaches, athletes, and USSA officials.

USST Head Coach, Pete Vordenberg said, “Four years ago in Torino I made myself a promise that I would never return to another Games so unprepared. Well we’re prepared this time.”

Top distance skier Kris Freeman attending his third Olympics commented, “I think this is the best Olympic team we have seen from the US since the 1970s and we’re ready to do some big things.” Freeman started in Nordic combined and actually won the junior nationals when he was 16 years old. Freeman is a type 1 diabetic, whose first thought after diagnosis was “how can I keep skiing”. Through passion, love of the sport, and hard work, his determination has shown through.

Andy Newell, top US spinter, said he was thrilled to be part of an Olympic team that was so prepared saying, “As for me, I’m fitter and stronger than ever, and get to work with the same wax tech for three years now. That consistency is vital and we have a great staff. The coaches put their heart and soul into this program.” Newell is now training on the trails he learned to ski on at Prospect Mountain in Woodford, VT.

“Our team has previewed Vancouver 2010 like it’s our home course. We’ve spent plenty of time working on the course, working on wax conditions – nobody has had more skis on the snow than the US Team, and we feel it’s like a home course advantage,” added Vordenberg.

Most agree that the USA development pipeline has grown in recent years and that there are more opportunities for success. “The more routes someone can have to success the better. It all seems to be working,” commented Vordenberg.

Veteran sprint star Kikkan Randall is embracing her third Olympic team. “I’m going in with high expectations and performance goals. The whole team and I are ready to compete at the Olympics,” said Randall.

“I’ve been working at improving my classic skiing, and it’s a lot better, anything can happen. I’ve had to focus on the classic technique, worked on my double pole power and my confidence in classic. I have improved a lot of things that put me in a better position for success,” she continued.

“There’s this strong sense of camaraderie on the team. We’ve been working side-by-side everyday, and the momentum of the team helps take some pressure off. We’re going to have a good time together,” added Randall from Anchorage.

“The team size has been a big issue for us, and the athletes just below the Olympic team, are not taking a break, in case we add more. We have tried to focus on the team that was named today,” said Nordic Director John Farra.

The US XC Olympic Team plans to arrive in Vancouver on February 9th.