ROCCARASO, ITA (March 9, 2012) – Trevor Philp finished just off the podium in fourth place in slalom Friday on the last day of competition at the 2012 FIS Junior Alpine World Ski Championships in Roccaraso, Italy. Philp’s fourth-place finish was the best result in slalom for Canada in a world junior championship since Brent McKinlay was third in 1996 in Schwyz/Ybrig, Switzerland.
Philp, of Calgary, Alta., and his 10 Canadian teammates competed against the best junior-aged skiers from over 60 countries in downhill, super-G, team dual-slalom, slalom and giant slalom. The best result for the ladies’ team was a 22nd-place finish in slalom for 18-year-old Tianda Carroll, of Jasper, Alta.
“It was quite good,” said Philp, who skis for the University of Denver, of his day. “It was great starting with the bib that I had, starting one, that was pretty cool. I think I went in with a pretty decent mentality, with the right state of mind in both runs, so that helped.”
Philp is now a veteran of three world junior championships. Friday’s fourth-place finish was his best world junior result to date. “It’s been a little different being now the oldest age, but it was good. This year I came in with the most confidence given I was in contention for at least the tech events, so that was cool,” said Philp.
Philp was third after the first run, but he struggled a bit in the second run – starting 28th and finishing 19th. “He had a bit of a tough time at the top and at the bottom and ended up fourth, but all-in-all it was a really good day for Trevor – the greatest,” said Jean-François Bélisle, head coach of the men’s world junior team. “The fact that he’s a full-time college student having to support a work load in school – he’s been preparing every afternoon for his school finals – and for him to achieve such success here in Roccaraso but also in the rest of the season, has been really good. This week showed exactly what Trevor Philp is about, he’s a special guy.”
Other Canadians participating in the slalom were B.C. Ski Team racer Ford Swette, of North Vancouver, B.C., who was 31st and Quebec Ski Team racer William St-Germain, of St Ferréol-les-Neiges, who was 35th.
On the ladies’ side, the last day of competition was a bit of disappointment as the downhill was cancelled due to fog.