KUCHING: She turns 22 today, but Aruwin Idami Salehhuddin isn’t celebrating with candles. Her birthday arrives instead with a start gate, icy slopes, and a moment few Malaysians have ever witnessed — racing at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy.
As Malaysia’s first female Winter Olympian, Aruwin now makes history again: she is the first Malaysian to compete at consecutive Winter Games, entering her second Olympic campaign as the nation’s sole athlete in the 2026 edition.
She begins her campaign in the Women’s Slalom tomorrow at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre in Cortina d’Ampezzo, with Run 1 starting at 5pm Malaysian time and Run 2 at 8.30pm. She will return for the Women’s Giant Slalom on Wednesday (Feb 18).
“I’m proud and grateful to represent Malaysia on the world stage. I’ve worked hard to be here and hope to make Malaysians proud of our presence in winter sports,” she said.
Her journey to Cortina has been relentless. Over the past year, she competed in 54 races across South America, Asia, and Europe, including the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, and the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Saalbach, Austria.
Months of intense physical conditioning in the southern hemisphere preceded her return to snow in Austria last October, followed by Far East Cup events in China and Korea — final preparations before the Olympic challenge.
“Most people don’t see the training, racing, and sacrifices.
“My coach, travel, and equipment are mostly funded by my parents. The budget is tight, but they’ve done everything so I can chase this dream,” Aruwin said.
Alpine skiing is measured in points. Athletes start at 999.99 and must reduce it through results. Now in her sixth year, Aruwin has lowered her ranking to 40 in Slalom and 41 in Giant Slalom — steady progress in a sport where the world’s best sit at 0.00.
“I still have a long way to go,” she admitted.
Riding the momentum of her historic Beijing debut, Aruwin charges into Milan determined to leave everything on the slopes.
“I may not be a gold medal favourite, but I will give my best performance. Competing at two Games means I’m representing Malaysian women who inspire me every day,” she said.
Raised in the United States, Aruwin first discovered skiing in Canada while her family lived in Washington state. Weekend outings soon grew into a passion.
“When I ski, I feel free. Everything else disappears — stress, worries, especially when I ski well,” she shared.
That freedom has come at a cost. She has broken her collarbone in Italy, raced through shin splints, and twisted her right knee in December while competing in China. Each injury forced a decision: retreat or return.
“I push through because otherwise it feels like a waste of all the effort my parents have put in,” she said.
Now training eight months a year in Europe under Belgian coach Kai Alaerts, Aruwin spends the rest of her time between Colorado and Malaysia. Yet her ambition goes beyond personal achievement.
“I want this Olympics to build interest and support for winter sports in Malaysia. With the right encouragement, Malaysians can compete on the same stage as others,” she said.
