MANILA, Philippines – Speed skater Peter Groseclose and curler Kathleen Dubberstein will carry the flag for Team Philippines in the opening ceremony of the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, on Friday, February 7.
The 20-athlete Team Philippines will take center stage at the Harbin International Convention Exhibition and Sports Center on a high note after the curling duo of Dubberstein and Marc Pfister compiled a 3-1 record in group play of the mixed doubles competition.
Although unranked, the tandem beat seeded squads South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, and Qatar, losing only to host China.
“What more could we ask for an inspiring start in the Philippines’ debut in curling in these games,” said Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.
Dubberstein and Pfister are in prime position to reach the quarterfinals and contend for what would be the Philippines’ first-ever medal in Asian Winter Games history.
“Our curling team is doing good and their confidence is growing. There’s a chance that we could win a medal,” said Tolentino.
Groseclose, meanwhile, will compete on Friday morning in the heats of the men’s 500m and 1,000m and the quarterfinals of the 1,500m at the Heilongjiang Ice Events Training Center before his flag-bearing duties.
“I’m ready and excited. Practices have been going well and I think I’ll be able to give a performance I can be proud of,” said Groseclose, who missed out on becoming the Philippines’ first medalist in the Winter Youth Olympics last year in Gangwon, South Korea, when he suffered an unlucky crash in the 500m final.
A total of 20 athletes supported by the POC and backed by the Philippine Sports Commission will don the national colors in the continental showdown that drew nearly 1,3000 athletes from 34 participating nations.
Aside from Grosclose, Pfister, and Dubberstein, the other Filipino athletes guided by chef de mission Ricky Lim are figure skaters Paolo Borromeo, Cathryn Limketkai, Sofia Frank, and the pair of Isabella Gamez and Alexander Korovin.
Team Philippines also pins its hopes on slalom alpine skiers Francis Ceccarelli and Tallulah Proulx and snowboarder Laetaz Amihan Rabe in the freeski slopestyle, big air, and halfpipe events.
Other members of the curling squad are Benjo Delarmente, Alan Frei, Christian Haller, and Enrico Pfister of the men’s team, and Anne Bonache, Leilani Dubberstein, Sheila Mariano, and Jessica Pfister of the women’s crew.
“[Representing the country] is a huge honor. To be honest, I’m a bit nervous, but I’m grateful that they chose me for this task,” said Groseclose.
Proulx will begin her campaign in the women’s slalom on Saturday at the Heilongjiang Yabuli Sports Training Base, while Ceccarelli will showcase his talent in the men’s slalom on Sunday. – Rappler.com