Philippines’ Asa Miller during training in Beijing. –POC PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Only time will tell where Asa Miller finishes in alpine skiing’s giant slalom at the Beijing Winter Olympics on Sunday.
One thing’s for sure, the Philippines’ lone athlete at the Winter Games will come prepared.
“Am I ready? yes I am,” said the Filipino-American Miller, who will also compete in slalom on Wednesday.
Miller and 149 others vie for the event’s gold but the two-time Olympian, more than anything, will be competing for himself with a modest goal of improving on his 70th place finish in Pyeongchang four years ago.
“I’m just going to do my best to stay relaxed because I ski my best when I am relaxed and confident,” he said. “It’s all about doing what I know best that day, not letting the pressure and stress get into my head.”
His American coach, Will Gregorak knows exactly what Miller is capable of and he expects him to deliver a good performance.
“He [Miller] is very positive on the hill and looks confident. I think Asa is a dynamic, exciting skier, period. I think he’ll give us a good show,” said Gregorak, a former World Cup ski campaigner for the US team.
“He’s executing a movement pattern really well right off the bat today, which is what you want to see as we get to race time. We’re all good.”