Canadian Men Kick off 2019 Season with Strong Finish in Sölden

Calgary, Alta (October 27, 2019) – It was an exciting day in Sölden, Austria today as Canada’s Erik Read (Banff Alpine Racers) started the World Cup season with a career best result in Giant Slalom, finishing 7th. With last year’s men’s race being cancelled due to poor weather, today’s perfect weather conditions were welcomed on the steep course.  Read, who sat in 5th place after his first run, finished the race just 1.29 seconds back of the leader, Alexis Pinturault, from France.  

“I’m pretty pleased. The skiing was absolutely there. I had the right approach both runs. I had a few mistakes on the second run. But this is the first time it has really felt like the podium is within reach and that my skiing is on that level.”

Trevor Philp (Banff Alpine Racers) raced to his best finish at the season opener, finishing in 26th spot, after not pushing out of the start gate on this hill since 2016. 

Competing in his very first World Cup race, Riley Seger (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) attacked the challenging course, after earning his start in team time trials last week. 

“It was definitely a little rowdy! It was quite turny on the pitch, but I tried to let it go and I kind of got bucked around but that’s ski racing,” said Seger of his first World Cup start. 

The team will now return home for a short break before the World Cup season resumes in Levi, Finland later in November. 

About Alpine Canada: Alpine Canada is the governing body for alpine, para-alpine and ski cross racing in Canada, as well as for Canadian ski coaches, providing education, certification, insurance and compliance with the coaching code of conduct. With the support of valued corporate partners and donors, along with the Government of Canada, Own the Podium, the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Coaching Association of Canada, Alpine Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic, World Championship and World Cup athletes to stimulate visibility, inspiration and growth in the ski community. In 2020, Alpine Canada will celebrate 100 years of rich tradition in competitive skiing in Canada. Follow along with Alpine Canada and www.alpinecanada.org. 

Media requests and information: 
Whitney Hunter
403-471-6032 I whunter@alpinecanada.org