Two Banff Alpine Racer alumnus got a taste of Austria’s legendary Kitzbuehl as member’s of Canada’s national team, as Trevor Philp and Erik Read both had strong runs.
Philp pulled off two remarkable races, finishing a personal best 14th in Sunday’s (Jn. 24) slalom, and a 21st-place finish in alpine combined. With many top racers missing gates, Philp played it safe in his first run, squeezing into 30th. On his second attempt, he skied an incredible run to land in the top 15, and even landed a few minutes in the leader’s chair midway through the race.
This is the second weekend in a row Philp has cracked the top 30, and he’s shown great talent.
“The track was great with lots of terrain,” Philp said. “I’m really happy with my time.”
Norway’s Henrik Kristofferson won the slalom ahead of Austria’s Marcel Hirscher.
Read got his first taste of the legendary hill. He didn’t have the race he wanted, but left hungry to attack the hill once again.
“It was challenging conditions for the slalom race, but a great opportunity since so many of the top guys failed to cross the finish line. Tactically, I had to be smart on a couple of turns and charge the rest with the icy snow. I was having a great run until I straddled, but that’s the way ski racing goes sometimes. I can’t wait to get back.”
Both racers took the NCAA route to the world cup, earning an education while ski racing.
When he was still with the national team program, Banff Alpine Racers executive director Pete Bosinger used to coach both athletes. He said the result is a great sign for the Banff Alpine Racers and a testament to Philp and Read’s commitment to the sport.
“Both are fully dedicated to the sport. With those two, they are taking a different pathway, getting training and education. But any way you do it, you have to learn to do it yourself. The team and coaching staff create the technical environment. You have to understand how to do it on your own,” Bosinger said.
He said it’s important to be patient with young ski racers, and believe the training will pay off. Philp is just now starting to show his potential, and Read isn’t far behind.
“It takes time. It’s not the case you start in the top 30 or top 15 on the world cup,” Bosinger said. “You have to put the time in, be patient and enjoy the process.”
The last Canadian slalom racer to medal at Kitzbuehl was Thomas Grandi. Grandi has struck up a friendship with Philp and is helping him learn the ins and outs of world cup racing.
