Tallulah Proulx embraces historic Winter Olympics debut for PH

SCHEDULE: Team Philippines at Winter Olympics 2026

Filipino Alpine skier Tallulah Proulx in the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. –POC PHOTO

Tallulah Proulx is soaking in the moment as she represents the Philippines in Alpine skiing at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, but the 17-year-old remains grounded about her goals.

“It’s super exciting, of course, being here. It’s just overwhelming. It’s my first Games. It’s so cool,” Proulx said in a phone interview from Cortina, the venue of the women’s Alpine events.

READ: Tallulah Proulx carries Filipino pride into 2026 Winter Olympics

Proulx, who traces her roots to Eastern Samar, will compete in the giant slalom at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Center, site of the 1956 Winter Olympics. The event features two runs over a course stretching close to 1.5 kilometers with at least 50 gates. She will also see action in the slalom, a shorter and more technical race with tighter turns.

“I just hope that more Filipinas would follow in my footsteps,” she said. “I also want to represent the Philippines positively.”

Proulx becomes the first Filipina to compete in the Winter Olympics.

“Yes, especially being the first Filipina. I thought I was just the first (female) Alpine skier. But not the first Filipina,” she said.

Meanwhile, Filipino Alpine skier Francis Ceccarelli competed in the men’s giant slalom in Bormio. He was listed 67th among 81 competitors from 62 nations for the first run.

Philippine delegation chef de mission Jezreel Apelar expressed confidence in both skiers’ preparation despite the logistical challenges of managing events held about 340 kilometers apart.

“They’ve done everything to prepare for these Games,” Apelar said.

The Philippines first participated in the Winter Olympics in 1972 in Sapporo and is making its fourth straight appearance since 2014.