SHAHEEN CONGRATULATES NEW HAMPSHIRE OLYMPIANS IN CONGRESSIONAL RECORD

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) submitted the following statement to the Congressional Record honoring the New Hampshire athletes that will compete in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia:

Senator Jeanne Shaheen Statement on New Hampshire’s Winter Olympians

February 4, 2014

Madam President, I wish to recognize the great accomplishments of the many New Hampshire athletes who will be representing the United States this month in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

These athletes have all exhibited incredible dedication to their respective sports and have proven their remarkable abilities in competitions among their peers. A selection to the United States Olympic team is a tremendous honor and a fitting reward for their many years of hard work. 

In New Hampshire, growing up on the snow is a way of life. With access to the unparalleled beauty and terrain of the White Mountains, thousands of miles of trails and nearly one thousand lakes, Granite Staters are at home on the snow, on the ice and in the air.

New Hampshire is proud to acknowledge our state’s Olympians, and is excited to show the world their talents during the Sochi games. 

Nick Alexander of Lebanon, New Hampshire will be competing in ski jumping. As the 2013 U.S. National Champion on the K90 ski jump, we are excited to see Nick build on his impressive showings at the Continental Cup and National Large Hill Championships as he competes for Team USA.

Sean Doherty of Center Conway, New Hampshire will be competing in the biathlon. We hope to see Sean, a first time Olympian, continue his accomplishments from the International Biathalon Union Junior World Championships last year and excel at this year’s Olympics.

Nick Fairall of Andover, New Hampshire will be competing in ski jumping. As a first time representative of Team USA, we have been impressed with Nick’s performances in World Cup events and his victory at the National Large Hill Championships. We are looking forward to watching him compete on the Olympic stage.

Julia Ford, of Holderness, New Hampshire will be competing in alpine skiing.  A first time member of Team USA, we hope to see Julia perform as she did in the U.S. Championships and North American Cup races. As the 2011 NorAM downhill Super G and super combined champion, and 2012 NorAm overall and downhill champion we are eager to cheer Julia on in Sochi.

Kris Freeman of Thornton, New Hampshire will be competing in cross-country skiing. As a well decorated Nordic skier and representative of Team USA for the fourth time, I hope that Kris will be able to build upon his past experiences and excel at this year’s Winter Olympics. We are proud to have Kris representing New Hampshire once again.

Chas Guldemond of Laconia, New Hampshire will be competing in snowboarding. A first time member of Team USA, Chas has built an impressive resume in slopestyle competitions and we hope that his success will continue in his Olympic debut.

Julia Krass of Hanover, New Hampshire will be competing in freeskiing. A first time participant in the Olympics, we are excited to watch 16-year-old Julia compete in the inaugural ski slopestyle event.

Bode Miller of Franconia, New Hampshire will be competing in alpine skiing. As the most decorated U.S. male skier in World Cup history and five-time representative of Team USA, Granite Staters are excited to see Bode compete again and hope to see him repeat his impressive, three-medal performance from the 2010, Vancouver Olympics.

Leanne Smith of North Conway, New Hampshire will be competing in alpine skiing. As a representative of Team USA for the second time, we hope that the combination of her previous Olympic experience and her success in recent World Cup events translates into victory this year.

DJ Montigny of Dover, New Hampshire will be coaching three women on the freeskiing team. A first time coach at the Olympics, DJ was named Freeskiing International Coach of the Year in 2013. We look forward to DJ helping lead Team USA athletes to victory in Sochi.

Many additional Olympians have been educated, coached, trained, or even competed in New Hampshire. These athletes with Granite State ties include:

Kacey Bellamy, Team USA, ice hockey

Sophie Caldwell, Team USA, cross-country skiing

David Chodounsky, Team USA, alpine skiing

Hannah Dreissigacker, Team USA, biathlon

Susan Dunklee, Team USA, biathlon

Nolan Kasper, Team USA, alpine skiing

Hannah Kearney, Team USA, freestyle skiing

James Van Riemsdyk, Team USA, ice hockey

Ida Sargent, Team USA, cross-country skiing

Mikaela Shiffrin, Team USA, alpine skiing

Katey Stone, Team USA, Head Coach, ice hockey

Sara Studebaker, Team USA, biathlon

Andrew Weibrecht, Team USA, alpine skiing

It is my honor to congratulate these New Hampshire athletes. I wish each of them, and all of Team USA, the best of luck as they seek to bring home the gold at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.