ASA MILLER will vie in his second consecutive Winter Olympics after the Filipino-American skier met minimum qualification standards needed for the Games Beijing is hosting from February 4 to 20.
But the International Skiing Federation (FIS) will make an official announcement of Miller’s qualification in December, according to Philippine Ski and Snowboard Federation (PSSF) President Jim Palomar Apelar on Sunday.
“Asa Miller surpassed the threshold of 160 FIS points to qualify for the Winter Olympics,” the Southern California-based Apelar said. “He currently has 96 points in slalom and 93 points in giant slalom. The lower your score, the better you qualified.”
Another Filipino-American, Brandon Leitner, also met the threshold but Apelar said they chose the 21-year-old Miller over the 17-year-old Leitner.
“Leitner is too young at 17, I just also gave him his license,” Apelar said. “It will also be unfair to Asa if I will go for Brandon. Asa’s score is far better than Brando.”
Apelar didn’t reveal Leitner’s score. The Portland (Oregon)-born Miller will be one of 151 athletes competing in the slalom and giant slalom events.
Apelar said the FIS’s 18-month qualification program will run until January.
“The Philippines was allotted a slot for its consistent participation in FIS events including the World Championships and regular FIS events, Apelar said. “Our athletes compete in 30 to 40 FIS-sanctioned events worldwide annually…only a male slot was given to the Philippines.”
Miller ranked No. 70 in giant slalom in Pyeongchang 2018 but Apelar said he won’t be surprised of a better performance in Beijing.
“Ever since he became one of our athletes and he qualified for Pyeongchang and now Beijing, he really progressed very well,” Apelar said. “He worked very hard in improving himself not only to get by the qualification standard. He is way better now than last Olympics.”
Miller’s mother, Polly Bisquera, is from Santa Cruz, Manila.
Julian Macaraeg, also a Filipino-American, is hoping to make the Beijing grade in men’s speedskating.