
Fil-American Asa Miller starts his 2022 Winter Olympics campaign on Sunday when he competes in the men’s giant slalom at the Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre in China.
The first run is scheduled at 10:15 a.m. while the second run is at 1:45 p.m.
A total of 97 competitors are listed in the men’s alpine skiing event including fellow Southeast Asians Jeffrey Webb of Malaysia, Nicola Zanon of Thailand and Yohan Goncalves Goutt of Timor-Leste.
Among the notable athletes in the list are 2018 Pyeongchang silver medalist Henrik Kristoffersen of Norway and fourth placer Zan Kranjec of Slovenia, to name a few.
Miller, 21, is keeping his expectations modest in his second Winter Olympics appearance but he hopes to improve from his debut appearance in the 2018 Pyeongchang edition where he finished 70th.
His American coach Will Gregorak is confident that his Oregon-born stalwart could break into the Top 50.
Aside from giant slalom, he would also see action in the men’s slalom on Wednesday at the same venue.
A day before his race, Miller received encouraging messages from Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Bambol Tolentino and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Butch Ramirez.
“I wish Asa good luck on his race and pray that he improves on his previous ranking from Pyeongchang,” Tolentino said.
“I’m also hoping for Asa to be the fastest among the ASEAN nations in his competitions.”
Ramirez, for his part, is also confident Miller “will be skiing his very best in Beijing” and reminded not to let pressure get in the way of his goals.
Ramirez recounted weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz’s journey, where it took her 16 years and four Olympic appearances to win the country’s first Olympic gold medal.
“I watched Hidilyn grow and blossom into an Olympic champion and what I saw in her was her discipline and determination to win,” Ramirez said.
“For Asa, I am confident that he will carry the same determination, discipline and focus when he competes against the world’s best. He is young. The future is wide open for him and I’m sure he'll be in many more Olympics appearances.”