ASA KAYA ANG ‘TOP 45’ – GREGORAK

YANQING, China – Kayang-kaya ni Asa Miller na makapasok sa ‘top 50’ sa giant slalom ng alpine skiing sa Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, ayon sa coach ng Filipino-American.

“We’re going to see some good skiing from Asa. And if he skis what he’s capable of, he’s capable of top 45, easily,” sabi ni Will Gregorak, na dumating dito noong Huwebes para gabayan si Miller sa kanyang ikalawang sunod na Winter Games.

Sinabi ni Gregorak, dating world top 50 alpine skier giant slalom at slalom noong sumasabak siya para sa US team, na malaki ang hinusay ni Miller magmula noong Pyeongchang 2018 kung saan tumapos siya sa 70th sa 110 competitors.

“I see him develop not only technically, but as a competitor,” anang 31-anyos na si Gregorak. “He understands himself a lot better and ski racing is such a very variable sport that anything can happen on race day. So you have to go to the game charging with a lot of intensity—and there’s always a lot of risks involved.”

Ang giant slalom ay magsisimula sa Linggo, alas-10 ng umaga, sa  Ice River course ng National Alpine Skiing Centre. Lalahok din si Miller, na ang kampanya ay suportado ng Philippine Olympic Committee at Philippine Sports Commission, sa slalom sa Miyerkoles.

Napansin ni Gregorak na hindi umaatras si  Miller sa mapanghamong course sa dalisdis ng Xiaohaituo Mountain.

“My first impression of the slope is it gets steeper and icier, it’s a very legit hill so it’s going to be an intense and high level skiing,” aniya. “But Asa is not backing off from the very intimidating pitch, skiing confidently and looks like he’s doing very well mentally to prepare himself on what type of skiing he will put down on the race deck.”

Sinabi ni Miller na nakahanda na siya sa dalawang events makaraang masanay sa Ice River sa loob ng halos dalawang linggo.

“In GS [Giant Slalom], you have more time and the terrains is a little bit bigger so I am more slightly comfortable,” sabi pa ni Miller,

“GS is my strongest discipline, but I am close to equal [for slalom].”

“Slalom is much faster, the terrain is much smaller so you have to move much quicker,” wika ng Economics sophomore sa Westminster College sa Salt Lake City. “Slalom and giant slalom are different disciplines for the slightly different skills set.”