HARBIN, China – Freestyle skier Laetaz Amihan Rabe and figure skaters Isabella Gamez and Aleksandr Korovin will begin their respective campaigns on Tuesday in a bid to put the Philippines on the medal stands of the 9th Asian Winter Games here.

The 15-year-old Rabe will be the youngest from among six competitors in the women’s freeski slopestyle event in a field spearheaded by Japanese Kanon Kondo. Japan freestyle slopestyle ski champion Kiho Sugarawa and Chinese veterans Han Linshan, Liu Mengting and Yang Ruyi.

Gamez and Korovin, on the other hand, are making their debut in the pair skating short program at the HIC Multifunctional Hall in downtown Harbin.

“We are excited and honored to be here representing the Philippines. We are confident with our training leading up to this, as we keep the same mentality for every competition we go, and we will continue to do the same for Harbin,” Isabella said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine women’s curling team absorbed its first setback after three games on Monday while the men’s side bounced back from a stinging defeat to Korea with a methodical 4-1 victory over Kazakhstan.

Japan rallied in the last four ends to beat the Filipina curlers spearheaded by skip Kathleen Dubberstein and Leilani Sumbillo An, 6-4, at the Harbin Pingfang District Curling Arena.

The national quintet, which also featured vice skip Sheila Mariano, lead Anne Bonache and alternate Jennifer dela Fuente, grabbed the second and third ends for a 4-1 advantage before Japan’s Ai Matsunaga and Suzune Yasui conspired in wiping out the deficit.

With a 2-1 record following a 13-1 blowout triumph over Qatar on Sunday night, the women’s national team faces Kazakhstan and Thailand on Tuesday followed by host China and powerhouse Korea on the next day.

They should wind up in the top four after the nine-team round robin for a spot in the semifinals on Thursday.

Filipino-Swiss siblings Marc and Enrico Pfister joined forces with lead Alan Frei and vice skip Christian Haller in the victory over Kazakhstan, erasing the grim defeat at the hands of South Korea, 6-1, during the event opener on Sunday.

Carrying an even slate after two outings, the men’s quintet should subdue Kyrgyzstan late Monday and Chinese Taipei on Wednesday for a clear entry to the men’s qualification round on Thursday where a semifinal slot is at stake.

The medal faceoff for the men’s and women’s teams is set Friday.

Rabe will be ranged against seasoned skiers at the Freeski Slopestyle Stadium in Yabuli, a two-hour ride at the outskirts of this Northernmost Chinese city.

“It’s a tough field but I am ready for tomorrow’s competition. I hope all goes well,” the Geneva, Switzerland-based Rabe.

“I have to do my best despite any situation. The park is very friendly, and the snow condition is okay,” she added.

Although Amihan is being hampered by her monthly period, Rabe’s father isn’t making any excuses.

“Her period has come. I can see the energy and performance dipping despite her mental fortitude,” said the elder Rabe.

“All I can do is prepare her iron supplements. But at the end of the day, she fights unevenly against those who are not yet in their period,” he added.

Philippine Skating Union (PSU) President Nikki Cheng and coach Abraham Domdom said the pair of Gamez and Korovin must work pretty well on their routines with absolutely no room for any error for a possible shot at the podium.

“They developed their strong sense of confidence backed by months of rigorous training and unwavering mental preparation. It is going to be a tough field, but I believe they are ready,” Domdom said.