KUCHING: At 22 years old, Aruwin Idami Salehhuddin isn’t celebrating with candles. Her birthday today is marked instead by a countdown to a start gate, a sheet of ice, and a moment few Malaysians have witnessed: racing at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy.
As the first female Malaysian athlete to compete at the Winter Games, Aruwin carries the nation’s hopes as its sole alpine skier.
She will begin her campaign in the Women’s Giant Slalom on Sunday, Feb 15, and return for the Women’s Slalom on Wednesday, Feb 18, at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Run 1 starts at 5 pm Malaysian time, with Run 2 at 8.30 pm.
“I’m proud and grateful to represent Malaysia on the world stage,” she said. “I’ve worked hard to be here and hope to make Malaysians proud of our presence in winter sports.”
The journey to Cortina has been relentless. In the past year alone, Aruwin 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 battle.
“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,” she 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 brought hers down to 40 in Giant Slalom and 41 in Slalom – progress in a sport where the world’s best sit at 0.00.
“I still have a long way to go,” she admitted.
This is her second Winter Olympics, following her historic 2022 debut as the first Malaysian woman to compete.
“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 skied in Canada while her family lived in Washington state. Weekend trips turned curiosity into passion.
“When I ski, I feel free. Everything else disappears – stress, worries, especially when I ski well,” she said.
Freedom has come with 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 demanded a choice: retreat or return.
“I push through because otherwise it feels like a waste of all the effort my parents have put in,” she said.
Today, she trains eight months a year in Europe under Belgian coach Kai Alaerts, splitting the rest of her time between Colorado and Malaysia. 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.
At the top of the Tofane course, amid a spirited Malaysian presence, there will be no room for hesitation – only the hush before the start, a national flag on her racing suit, and gravity waiting to take over.
From a country without snow, Aruwin carries a simple truth with every turn: limits are never in the climate – they live in the courage to start.
Today, as she launches into her Winter Olympics campaign, every drop of sweat, every tear, every hour of relentless toil will be tested on the world’s icy stage.
Her journey of pain, sacrifice, triumph, and perseverance – comes alive with the push of her skis, as history watches and Malaysia holds its breath.
