Girl in a Boy's Club

 

KL: Any time anyone asks for my autograph it’s such a compliment. It’s a really cool thing. It makes me really proud that I am at that level where people look up to me. I try to take being a role model very seriously.

 

 

KL: It’s really cool because there are some young guns pushing us right now. To know that I hand in making all of that happen is definitely one of my biggest accomplishments It’s even more important than the big tricks. When I think about where skiing is and the fact that it could go to the Olympics is so cool. I am so proud to have been there since the beginning of freeskiing.

 

 

KL: I don’t have a fan club. But the boys seem to like me. I don’t know. I get embarrassed talking about that. It’s so flattering but it just makes me laugh too because I have the type of personality that isn’t one to put myself in front of guys.

 

 

KL: It’s so hard in the lifestyle I lead to have a relationship or when a guy wants to get to know me I just have to smile and not take it seriously. My life is about skiing right now and that’s the most important thing.

 

KL: FHM was something I am really proud of. It turned out great. I got so much feedback from it. If I had the chance to do it again I would. What girl wouldn’t want a whole bunch of people to fawn over her and make her look beautiful.

 

KL: I say I didn’t wear anything less than a bathing suit and I didn’t do anything I felt uncomfortable doing My family loved it and that’s all that matters. Even my conservative Dad thought is was cool but he wouldn’t admit it.

 

KL: I think so. I work hard on my body and I am proud of it  It’s great to be recognized as a woman and as a skier. It’s great to be in the ski mags but I love being in other mags too and want to be remembered as an athlete and as a great role model. It’s great that women athletes are doing this stuff and bringing more attention to our sport. We have been looked at as tomboys for years, but we have our girly side too and I want to show that.

Lat34: Kristi Leskinen, the fans really want to know…are you single?

 

KL: Let’s talk more about that. I guess there’s nothing to tell because every time I find someone I am into it hits me that I travel too much. Typically the guys I meet travel as much as I do, so it’s doomed from the beginning. The other thing is I am a one guy girl with a ten guy lifestyle. You see all of the pro guys and they have a girl in every town. I travel enough to make that happen, but the guys are just my friends that I travel with and I keep it that way. As a woman in this industry to keep respect amongst your peers you have to be friends. And if I did what they did on the road…well I would not have a very good rep and that matters to me.

 

Lat34: What kind of guy would you like to meet?

 

KL: I am not sure. It’s so far in the back of my mind right now that it’s tough for me to even have a dream guy. Even if I met him tomorrow I couldn’t recognize him. I am attracted to people who are driven and are good at what they do. Typically the guys I meet in my world are just as busy as I am. I am destined to be single until I retire I think.

 

Lat34: Do you get get taken as a pro ho or a girlfriend of some ski guy often when you are dolled up and at events?

 

KL: Funny you should ask. That happens all the time actually. I live kind of a double life.

 

When I go out in Hollywood and am dressed up. I love to do that it’s super fun, but I find myself in situations like that where I get taken not for what I am, an athlete, but as some chick trying to meet dudes or something. I want to stand up and say ‘You know what buddy I am an athlete, not some hot chick you can sleeze on.’ Whatever. I am happy to be doing what I am doing.

 

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