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Canmore speed skier takes 7th in World Cup super-G

Canmore's Jeff Read had a huge top 10 in the World Cup super-G on Saturday (Jan. 28).

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, ITALY – Canmore speed skier Jeff Read flew to seventh place in the world cup super-G on Saturday (Jan. 28) in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

From bib No. 44 to the top ten, it was the 25-year-old Canuck's best result of the season, which secured a spot in the world cup finals later in the season.

"It was something I definitely wanted really badly," said Read. "I had a good idea what was possible and super happy to go out there and execute and ski as planned and get down without any major mistakes, so I'm pretty stoked about that."

As a race day goes on, the course typically slows down after skiers repeatedly carve through it, so having a higher bib number or start position like 44 is undesirable. However, the weather and hard-packed snow made things "stay equal throughout the whole race," said Read.

"The course workers were able to smooth it out and it was back to a blank course every time," said Read, finishing .89 seconds behind first place. "We were lucky it was a bit cloudy through the first 30 to 35 guys and the sun started pumping through, so it made visibility better and gives more confidence and you're able to push a little bit more."

Read also got word from the bottom from teammates on how the course was running. One section, near the bottom, was causing chaos for skiers. Three of the top four racers out of the gate went out on the slippery section. However, the Canucks relayed the information just in time for Read's run.

"I think that's what made the day, that one turn that everyone was pulling on. I was able to come in and nail it," said Read.

The top-ten result, only the second of his world cup career, was even more significant for Read as it punches a ticket to his first-ever world cup finals.

The next day there was another super-G, which was a make-up race from Lake Louise's cancelled run in November.

Continuing with the solid season of super-G racing, Read finished 23rd.

Finishing first in both races was Swiss star Marco Odermatt.


Jordan Small

About the Author: Jordan Small

An award-winning reporter, Jordan Small has covered sports, the arts, and news in the Bow Valley since 2014. Originally from Barrie, Ont., Jordan has lived in Alberta since 2013.
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