Like Father, Like Son: Erik Read has best-ever finish in World Cup slalom
KITZBUEHEL, Austria — Some well-timed paternal advice helped downhill skier Erik Read to the best finish of his career.
Read’s father, Canadian skiing legend Ken Read, spoke to his son after qualifying in the first run of the World Cup slalom Sunday at the famed course in Kitzbuehel, Austria. Erik Read was 4.55 seconds faster in his second run, finishing seventh in a total of 1:47.15.
“He likes to stay away from it, but after my first run, I’d qualified, and he came over and said ‘let it rip now that you’re in there,’” said the younger Read, who is from Calgary. “It’s pretty cool to do it here in Kitzbuehel, especially with the history my dad’s had here.
“This is probably the toughest slalom to do it in. So I’m pretty stoked. What a cool day.”