These Filipino Skiers Are Representing Team Philippines at the 2026 Winter Olympics

Snow-covered slopes and subzero temperatures aren’t exactly what come to mind when you think of Philippine sports. Still, when the 2026 Winter Olympics unfold in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in February, two Filipino athletes will once again prove that geography doesn’t define ambition. 

Set against Italy’s Dolomites, the Games will see Team Philippines represented in Alpine skiing. From breaking barriers to rewriting national records, below, meet the Filipino skiers representing the country on one of sport’s coldest stages.

Francis Ceccarelli, 22, will be making his Olympic debut for the Philippines in Alpine skiing at Milano Cortina 2026. Born in Quezon City and adopted by Italian parents, he grew up skiing in Tuscany and competing across Italy before switching to represent the Philippines in 2023. He’s the first Filipino athlete to earn a quota spot for the Winter Games and one of only five Filipinos to compete in Alpine skiing at the Olympics.

The choice to compete for the Philippines was deeply personal. “Since I started skiing, my Filipino identity has always been with me,” he told Olympics.com. “It was a goal for me to ski for the Philippines, because it is not every day that we have a Filipino athlete skiing at an international level.” Francis credits his mother, former professional skier Lisa Seghi, for supporting his pursuit of Philippine citizenship, a process that took over three years. “It is an honour and a big deal to compete for my country of origin,” he said.

On the slopes, Francis competed at the 2025 Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China. While he was disqualified in slalom for exceeding course lines, the experience offered vital lessons for his Olympic debut. According to Olympics.com, he aims to finish among the top 50 while representing the Philippines in Bormio’s Alpine events.

At 17, Tallulah Proulx is the youngest Filipino athlete ever to qualify for the Winter Olympics, according to Olympics.com. Based in Utah, she earned quota spots in both the giant slalom and slalom events, becoming the first Filipina to compete in Alpine skiing at the Winter Games.

Tallulah first skied at age three and began competing at seven. She represented the Philippines at the 2025 Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, gaining valuable international experience ahead of Milano Cortina 2026. After initially missing the slalom qualifying standard by a tiny margin, she secured her Olympic spot in the final race.

Training six days a week at Park City and the Utah Olympic Park, Tallulah focuses on improving her FIS (International Ski and Snowboard Federation) points and racing against top competitors like Mikaela Shiffrin. In an interview with ABS-CBN, she said, “I just want to go in with a positive mindset and represent the Philippines in a positive light.” Her goal is to inspire young Filipinas and increase the country’s presence in winter sports.

The 2026 Winter Olympics will take place from February 6 to 22 in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.