Erik READ

UNUSUAL PATHWAY
He has taken a somewhat unusual path to the World Cup, taking time to get a college degree from the University of Denver and race for the Pioneers, as well as spending continual time on both the Europa Cup and NorAm Cup tours as a pathway to the World Cup. (skiracing.com, 16 Dec 2020)

SKIING TURNING POINT
Felt he had a sometimes obsessive analysis of his technique and races which became too much at times, so he started to see a sports psychologist. "That was one of the biggest turning points in my career. I started working with (a psychologist) four or five years ago. Almost immediately it started improving my routine and that translated into results." (cbc.ca, 6 Dec 2019)

FAMILY NAME
His father Ken is one of five members of the "Crazy Canucks", the name given to Jim Hunter, Dave Irwin, Dave Murray, and Steve Podborski in the 1970s for their fast and reckless need for speed down the hill. Aware of his father's success, they had never really talked much about it until a trip to Europe. "Growing up I didn't totally comprehend what he had done. He was just my dad. But when he took me over to Europe for the first time I think I was 14 or 15, seeing the amount of respect he garnered across the pond was when I realized just how strongly ski-racing is held in the hearts of Europeans and where he fits into that." (cbc.ca, 6 Dec 2019)

SPORT / EDUCATION BALANCE
Was able to obtain a university degree and ski at a world-class level at the same time.

“Every year I have been on the national team I was taking spring classes, chipping away at an education because I believe it’s valuable. I want to be successful in my ski racing career, but I also know that it’s important to consider a life after racing. I had an incredible opportunity to attend the University of Denver and had the support of the national team. I watched Trevor (Philip) successfully obtain a degree and race on the World Cup circuit, so I really believed I could make both work. I’m glad I did it because it allowed me to find balance.” (skiracing.com, 14 Jul 2017)

© Data by Sports Data Warehouse

OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES
Made his Olympic debut skiing three races at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, producing three-top 30 finishes, and was the top-ranked Canadian in the giant slalom, finishing 11th.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Was a member of the underdog Canadian squad that defeated some of the most skilled skiers in the world to win silver in the team event in his World Championships debut in 2015 in Vail/Beaver Creek. At four consecutive World Championships (2015-21) his best individual finish is 23rd in giant slalom in 2017 at St. Moritz.

At four Junior World Championships (2008-11), his best individual finish was fifth in Alpine combined at Crans Montana in 2011.

WORLD CUP
Made his World Cup debut in January 2011 and earned his first World Cup points in December 2014 in the slalom in Are. His career-best result is a sixth in the Alpine combined in Santa Caterina in December 2016. A month later in Kitzbuehel he was 22nd after the first slalom run and had such a good second run that he stood in the leader box as 15 more racers went, and ended up in seventh.

OTHER
Won overall titles in the 2012 and 2016 NorAm Cup series.