By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
After figure skater Michael Martinez’s campaign ended in disappointment, Fil-American skier Asa Miller hopes to lift the gloom as he competes in the men’s giant slalom today at the Yongpyong Alpine Centre in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
The 17-year-old Miller makes his first run at 10:15 a.m. (9:15 a.m. in Manila) along with 65 other entries, with the medal run scheduled at 1:45 p.m. (12:45 p.m. in Manila) on the same day.
Born and raised in Portland, Oregon to an American father and a Filipina mother, Miller reached the baseline qualifications to earn a berth in the Games after racing around the United States and gaining points in several international competitions like in Sweden, Australia and New Zealand.
Martinez finished 28th in a 30-man field after posting only 55.56 points in the men’s singles skating event.
It was a far cry from his season best of 67.50 points.
Like Martinez, Miller did all sort of fundraising to fulfill his Olympic dream.
For this year’s edition, his family and friends set up an online fundraising campaign to finance his training and competitions abroad.
Along with his coach Eliot Bradford and father Kelly, Miller arrived in Pyeongchang a week before his event to acclimatize to the venue.
He suffered a fall on his first day of training at the piste similar to the competition course, but quickly adjusted to the condition.
“They are using radio units para makita yung porma or efficient skiing nya at ma-evaluate ni coach,” said Philippines’ chief of mission Tom Carrasco, who was with the six-man PH contingent.