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Eden Kruger, a 15-year-old from Hopewell Junction is set to represent the United States at the FIS Freestyle Junior Ski World Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on January 9. Kruger, the youngest member of the U.S. team, will compete in moguls skiing, a discipline involving high-speed skiing and acrobatic stunts.
Kruger began skiing at age four and has been a competitive skier since she was seven. She earned her spot on the team through her impressive performances, including winning the mogul skiing championship at the U.S. Freestyle Junior Nationals in 2023. Her cumulative point total in qualifying events secured her a place among the top six women in the nation.
Eden's mother, Lee Kruger, expressed pride in her daughter's accomplishments, noting how Eden has continually pushed herself to new levels. Eden herself shared her excitement and nerves about the upcoming competition to the Poughkeepsie Journal , saying, "I'm really excited about this. It was one of my biggest goals, and something I really wanted to accomplish this year."
The young skier is currently a full-time boarding student at Killington Mountain School in Vermont, where she trains intensively. She began her journey to Kazakhstan on New Year's Day, traveling first to Salt Lake City to meet her teammates before heading to Central Asia. While her family won't be able to accompany her, Eden is focused on representing her country and gaining valuable international experience.