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'I could taste it': alpine skier Erik Read narrowly misses podium in Italy

For Canmore's Erik Read, the recent alpine world cup event was an "optimistic step in my career as far as reaching a podium"
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Erik Read races in a world cup giant slalom. GEPA PHOTO

ITALY – With head-turning velocity on the slopes and eye-catching results, landing on a world cup podium does not seem like a matter of if, but when for Canmore's Erik Read.

The 29-year-old alpine skier scored two 10th places in giant slalom (GS) on Dec. 5 and 7 at the Audi FIS Ski World Cup in Santa Caterina Valfurva, Italy, resulting in a personal best, and near podium finish Monday with a time of 2:09.55 – .38 seconds behind third place racer Filip Zubcic of Croatia.

"[Monday's race] was a little bittersweet because I had a great run on the second-run and sort of missed the podium by four-tenths of a second – like I could taste it," Read said to the Outlook. "But, I'm happy with two top tens.

"[This world cup event was an] optimistic step in my career as far as reaching a podium."

Switzerland's Marco Odermatt finished first (2:08.42) in Monday's GS, while Zubcic won on Saturday (2:15.06).

Read's aim on the world cup is to be a consistent threat in the top 10 or 15 each outing, and Monday's follow up effort was done after the Canadian made noise during Saturday's GS.

In less than favourable conditions in the Italian mountains, with snow flurries wreaking havoc on the course, Read managed to out-duel the field with the fastest time in the second-run of the day.

It was the first time Read has taken first place in a run at a world cup race despite nearly one-metre of snow falling in short duration.

"I was just able to be consistent throughout the changing snow conditions and had the right mental approach with charging and carving," said Read. "It allowed me to put a good run together and it was my first time winning a run at the world cup."

Read's previous best results at a world cup was seventh in GS last year in Austria.

Even after an unusual off season brought on by the pandemic, where Read was off snow for about 130 days – he is usually skiing every month of the year – the son of Crazy Canuck Ken Read has not lost a step – or stride.

With only a fraction of the off-season training than what's normal to him and his teammates, Read took advantage in areas where he could, such as improving his overall fitness in a makeshift gym he made with his brother, Jeff, who is on the national ski cross team.

Being in a pandemic means Read and his teammates are committed to stay in Europe until March. Read has been overseas since September, while Trevor Philp has been in Europe since July, and they have gotten cozy with their new surroundings.

"This is home for the moment," said Read.

Philp also had impressive outings in Santa Caterina Valfurva, securing back-to-back top 20 results on Saturday (18th) and Monday (16th).

“It was a very productive weekend for me, and for us as a team," said Philp in a press release. "I had a great weekend of first runs, and the second runs were both not quite to the calibre I wanted, but still, to get two top-20s, I am very happy."


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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