Homer’s Kristen Faulkner last week participated in a community question-and-answer session and was recognized for her achievements as a 2024 Paris Olympics gold medal cyclist.
At the Friday Dec. 27 event, hosted by Jim Anderson in the Homer High School Mariner Theatre, Faulkner was given a city Award of Excellence from former Mayor Ken Castner and a draft state legislative citation from local Rep. Sarah Vance, who presented the award in person. A legislative citation is an award that can be presented to organizations or individuals for various achievements and is sponsored by a member of the Alaska Legislature.
The event was co-hosted by the Homer Chamber of Commerce and the City of Homer with support from the Homer Cycle Club.
Brad Anderson, executive director of the Homer Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the community and gave an overview of Faulkner’s childhood engagements in the community and accomplishments after high school.
He noted her participation in the Kachemak Swim Club, the Homer “Nutcracker” production, various contributions to Homer Middle School sports, including basketball, track and field and soccer, the Homer Sea to Ski Triathlon, as well as the Homer High triathlon. Anderson also noted her additional stage accomplishments such as piano concerts with instructor Mary Epperson and participation in Homer’s long-standing spring Jubilee talent show.
Before becoming a professional cyclist, Faulkner graduated from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with a degree in computer science. She worked in finance for four and a half years in New York.
“In 2021, just three short years ago, she boldly decided to leave her finance job to follow her passion for cycling, a decision that obviously led her to incredible success,” Anderson said. This was a challenging decision that Faulkner followed up on regularly throughout the discussion — the passion and challenge to follow your true dreams in the midst of a stable financial career.
Faulkner in 2022 participated in the women’s Tour de France. In 2023, she won the Pan American individual time trial. In 2024, she became the USA national champion. In the summer of 2024, Faulkner won a gold medal in the Olympic road race, becoming the first American woman in 40 years to win the event. Three days later, Faulkner won a second gold medal in Team Pursuit on the track, marking the first time Team USA has won a gold medal in the event. Other team members in the race included Jennifer Valente, Lily Williams and Chloe Dygert.
After the introduction, Jim Anderson welcomed onto the stage Faulkner’s parents, Jon and Sara Faulkner, as well as Castner for the question-and-answer session.
Faulkner was asked to share some of her favorite memories from Homer. She noted her participation in the Homer “Nutcracker” for seven years, playing roles such as jester, a youth member of the party scene and a candy cane.
She also noted the significance of her involvement with the Kachemak Swim Club and time spent in the Homer High School pool.
“I always enjoyed the Homer Spit Run, because no matter who you were, you would see your teachers, your coaches, your neighbors, you know, everyone would come out participate; I loved that.”
In response to a question regarding what makes Homer a unique place to grow up in, Faulkner cited the city’s sense of community.
“I think Homer is such a small community, and everyone really watches out for each other.”
She noted, in particular, some of her many elementary school teachers and coaches: Betsy Kirby, Gloria Hensen, Caroline Venuti, Shirley Gribble, Linda Rourke and Janet Fink.
“There are so many people, I can’t list them all. You’re not just raised by your parents, but your community.”
She also noted the unique entrepreneurial spirit in the community of Homer — from writers, artists, the commercial fishing industry and more.
“The entrepreneurs in Homer really had an impact on me; there has always been a lot of effort here to engage in what you are passionate about and build a life for what you truly want to do.
“People support random efforts. I remember trying to learn how to ski in my kitchen before a ski meet and develop coordination for volleyball and basketball just with support when I wasn’t that good yet. This community allowed me to and try whatever I wanted.”
Jim Anderson posed a question to Faulkner’s father, Jon: “When did you first realize just how adventurous and determined Kristen was? What sticks out in your mind is some of the most significant examples of her indomitable spirit?”
Faulkner said that whatever his daughter was experiencing in victory, she shared it widely with her opponents. He also noted that when she was very young and not old enough to work in the family business at Land’s End, she personally decided to set up an ice cream shop on her own.
“She always had determination and commitment,” he said.
Castner was asked about Faulkner’s contributions to the “Nutcracker” production and he noted that in his 36 years of the performance her presence and calmness on the stage was always notable.
“There was something about her that you couldn’t take your eyes off,” he said.
Anderson transitioned into how Faulkner got into cycling. Faulkner explained that while working in New York she wanted an opportunity to get back to the natural environment and started running in Central Park everyday “because I just needed to feel the grass.”
Eventually, she heard about a free women’s cycling clinic and joined that with a bike from a friend that was exceptionally too large for her.
“I showed up at practices at 6 a.m. My helmet was crooked. I didn’t have any proper gear. I didn’t even have sunglasses. I was a complete beginner and had never clipped into pedals.”
It started as an event just for fun, she said. Eventually, training evolved into a daily practice and in 2020 she joined her first domestic professional team.
Faulkner talked about the difficulty of leaving a professional career and pursuing a personal dream of the Olympics. She mentioned the 2000 Sydney games and watching all of the media on the events. When it was time to decide to pursue the Paris games she just realized that if she didn’t do it now, she wouldn’t have another chance. Although it was a hard decision, it was one she had to make. “And so that’s what I did.”
“That is a wonderful lesson for us all. Follow our passion and overcome the fear of failure,” Jim Anderson said.
“I was never willing to give up on my dream,” Faulkner said. “I was never willing to stop until it was really clear I couldn’t do it anymore. So in that way, you know, I know I didn’t give up, but there were many days where it was really hard. Like, I remember crying myself to sleep one night because I was homesick.”
Questions concluded with what is next for Faulkner. She’s not entire sure yet but noted unceasing personal support for upcoming women cyclists and how to help contribute to their own dreams and encourage what they may want to do.
The conversation continued for about an hour and ended with an opportunity for audience members to join Faulkner onstage for photos and signatures. She wore her medals and encouraged Homer youth to follow their dreams.
Many audience members commented to the Homer News that they were grateful for the opportunity to attend the event.
More details on Faulkner, her life, career and Olympic awards are available on her personal website at www.kristenfaulkner.com/life-story.
Kristen Faulkner, 2024 Olympic gold medal cyclist, poses with her bike on the Homer Mariner Theatre stage on Friday Dec. 27. (Emilie Springer/ Homer News)
