St. Lawrence Alpine skiing junior Emma Gatcliffe is headed to the upcoming Olympic Games in Italy, representing Trinidad and Tobago, marking the country's debut in the sport at the Olympic level.

"I am so excited for this experience, as it gives me the opportunity to ski alongside elite athletes I have admired since I was a kid," said Gatcliffe. "I feel especially lucky to have my ski team as a constant and uplifting support system. They push me to be a better skier every day - through early mornings, challenging training sessions, races and moments of doubt. The St. Lawrence Alpine ski team has taught me the importance of discipline, resilience, and making the most out of every turn on the hill. I feel incredibly grateful to represent Trinidad, as the first female athlete at the Winter Olympics. Being part of something so much bigger than myself is an honor, and I hope my journey can inspire others to pursue their goals. Go Saints!"

Gatcliffe has skied in both the Colby Carnival and SLU Carnival for the Saints this season, recording a 32nd-place finish in the giant slalom at Whiteface last weekend. Outside of EISA competition, she just placed third in the giant slalom in the Clarkson races in Lake Placid. Last year, she competed for Trinidad and Tobago at the World Junior Championships.

"I'm so proud of Emma making it to the Winter Olympics", said head coach Willi Steinrotter. "She's been skiing well and we look forward to watching her excel in Italy. It's every athletes dream to represent their country and it's very fulfilling to see Emma achieve her dream."

Gatcliffe is scheduled to attend the opening ceremonies on February 6 and will train for about a week before racing in the giant slalom on the 15th and the slalom on the 18th.