Ken Read

John Kenneth " Ken " Read ( born November 6, 1955 in Ann Arbor, Michigan) is a former Canadian alpine skier. He was particularly successful in descents.

Biography

Read grew up in Calgary. He started at the age of three years with the skiing and took eight years for the first time in a competition. In the 1970s he formed together with Jim Hunter, Dave Irwin, Dave Murray and Steve Podborski the so-called Crazy Canucks.

On December 7, 1975 Read won his first World Cup race in Val d'Isere departure. This was also the first win for a North American runner in a departure in the history of the World Cup. Two months later he was at the Olympic Winter Games in Innsbruck fifth in the downhill.

The victory in Val d'Isère, he had four more victories, most recently in January 1980 in Wengen. The 1979/80 season was with two wins and second place in the downhill World Cup ( behind Peter Müller) his most successful season. In his last active racing season 1982/83 he still scored the second place and third place in Kitzbühel in Val d'Isere.

In 1978 Lou Marsh Trophy as the Read Canada's Athlete of the Year, 1991 Order of Canada. From 2002 to 2008 he was President of the Canadian Ski Association. His 1991 born son Erik Read was also skier.

Achievements

Olympic games

  • Innsbruck 1976: 5th exit

World Championships

  • Innsbruck 1976: 5th exit
  • Schladming 1982: 14 Departure

World Cup

  • 1977/ 78: 4 downhill World Cup
  • 1978/79 season: 4 downhill World Cup
  • 1979/ 80: 2nd downhill World Cup
  • 14 podiums, 5 wins

Other successes

Read won six Canadian Championship titles:

  • Departure in 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980
  • Combination 1978
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