UAE Makes Winter Olympics Debut with Astridge & Hudson

The United Arab Emirates made its Winter Olympics debut at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games with athletes Alex Astridge and Piera Hudson. Both athletes competed in alpine skiing events, marking a historic moment for the nation.

Alex Astridge participated in the men’s slalom on Monday. Due to challenging conditions, he was unable to complete his run and was marked DNF (Did Not Finish).

Piera Hudson competed in the giant slalom on Sunday. She completed her first run, finishing 42nd in 1:08.01, 4.78 seconds behind the leader. However, she could not complete the second, more demanding run, also receiving a DNF.

Despite the results, both athletes expressed pride in representing the UAE on the Olympic stage. Alex Astridge, who also served as the UAE flag bearer during the opening ceremony, said:
"This is the biggest milestone of my life. I hope to make not just myself proud, but the entire country, whose incredible support for myself and Piera has meant so much."

Hudson emphasized the inspiration their participation could bring to young athletes in the UAE:
"I don’t have a specific rank I want to achieve. Beyond the games, I hope to inspire the next generation to explore winter sports. Seeing the UAE on this stage is a huge thing for visibility and identity in different sports."

Both Astridge and Hudson developed their skills at Ski Dubai, an indoor ski resort in Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates, proving that winter sports opportunities can start even in a desert nation.

Their participation highlights a growing interest in winter sports in the UAE and sets a precedent for future athletes aiming to compete on the world’s biggest stage.