October 24, 2017 In the wings of Erik Read
In 2017, MWHS was proud to announce the sponsorship with 3rd generation, two-time Canadian Champion alpine ski racer Erik Read. From October 27 to 29, Read is high in the Austrian Alps at 3,040 m (9,974 ft), for the first 2017/2018 FIS Ski World Cup race, in Sölden. While the world watches this season, we're excited to be a part of Read's quest for a coveted spot on the Canadian Alpine Olympic team and his relentless journey for a position on top of the World Cup stage.
Leading into the inaugural FIS World Cup race of the season – Read says he's a little extra motivated for a great finish in Sölden. In August, he set a new personal best on the fast and hard snow conditions, at Coronet Peak, in New Zealand. Racing alongside a stacked field of 80 competitors from 22 countries – including World Championship silver medallist Manuel Feller – Read claimed two landmark wins at the men’s Audi Quattro Winter Games NZ/ FIS Australia New Zealand Cup (ANC) - check out Alpine Canada's coverage. Read says the snow was firm from New Zealand's spring-like early morning conditions and the hill was the ideal stage for his win at the FIS Alpine Continental Cup competition.
Sailing fast-forward into October, Read's training camps in the southern hemisphere went very well and he is now pumped and ready to take on the historically very tough, long, steep and physically demanding track on the Rettenbach Glacier.
"I’ve only competed in Sölden once, but I understand the importance of the event," says Read. "This season, I am top of my physical training in the gym and summer training has been planned around these early World Cup races."
There's a little extra excitement surrounding Sölden. For ski race fans, it's the first FIS competition of the season, but as Read explains... it's a race that sets the tone for the rest of the year.
"For an athlete, it represents an opportunity to start the long season on the right foot and to make an early statement in an Olympic year."
The legendary challenging Rettenbach Glacier high above Sölden, will set the stage for the next chapter of Read's journey this season. According to Read, this is when attention to every detail counts... as the final stretch towards his competitive dreams are now underway.
Mike Wiegele, Guest Relations and Sales Manager Daniela Aufschnaiter and Senior Lead Guide Elias Ortner, will be in the crowd this week to kick off the World Cup season at Sölden. Tune into Read’s adventures on Instagram and follow our social media channels and e-newsletter for all the updates from our Wiegele World team.
Read is currently a Business Major student at the University of Denver, who completed his NCAA eligibility in June/2017 after three years with the DU Ski Team. Check out this video profile of Read, produced by Monica Huebner – a fellow student-athlete, at the University of Denver.
UPDATE: The Men's FIS Ski World Cup race, in Sölden was cancelled due to poor weather conditions. The Wiegele team wishes Erik Read and the Alpine Canada Alpin ski team the best of luck on their continued journey to the Olympics.
