Freestyle skier bears Phl flag

GANGWON, South Korea — Freestyle skier LaetazAmihan Rabe will be the Philippines’ flag bearer during the parade of athletes in the opening ceremony of the fourth Winter Youth Olympic Games on Friday evening that will be held simultaneously at theGangneung Oval and PyeongChang Dome.

“Her event comes a few days later so she will be very able and available for the flag-bearing chores,” said Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino who arrived here on Wednesday night with secretary-general Wharton Chan.

The 14-year-old Switzerland-based Filipino will be by her lonesome during the parade of athletes since Peter Groseclose, 16, will be competing in the 1,500 meters in short track of speed skating on Saturday while cross-country skier Avery Balbanida won’t be touching down until 25 January because his event comes close to the end of the month.

“Her initial reaction when I passed the message that she’s the flag-bearer were her super big eyes, her jaw dropping,” Amihan’s father Ric said.

“She’s astounded and she asked how to wave best.”

The Rabes set foot on the Youth Athlete’s Village on Friday morning after an 18-hour flight from Switzerland.

Rabe’s first event is on Wednesday in women’s slopestyle and later on 28 January in big air at the WelliHilli Park Ski Resort in Hoengseong. Groseclose has a busy schedule.

He again competes on Sunday in the 1,000 meters and on Monday in the 500 meters.

Balbanida is expected to arrive with his father Voltaire for his competition on 29 and 30 January at the Alpensia Biathlon Center.

Tolentino, Chan along with Philippine chef de mission Ada Milby will be on hand for the opening ceremony.