BORMIO, Italy — Francis Ceccarelli, representing the Philippines, successfully completed his debut in the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, finishing 54th overall in the men’s giant slalom event held Saturday night, February 14, 2026 (Manila time).
Competing at the Stelvio Ski Centre in the Valtellina region, Ceccarelli recorded a combined time of 2:48.23 across two runs on the challenging alpine course.
Performance Highlights
- Run 1: Ceccarelli started strong, clearing the first intermediate in 23.18 seconds. Despite encountering difficulties in the latter half of the course, he finished the first leg with a time of 1:27.36, placing 57th.
- Run 2: The Filipino skier showed significant improvement in his second descent, clocking 1:20.87. This stronger performance allowed him to climb three spots in the final standings to secure 54th place.
A Proud Debut An emotional Ceccarelli expressed pride in representing the Philippines on the world stage. “I’m so happy. [I’m just] really emotional because it’s my first time but I’m ready for the work because this is for my country,” he said following the event.
Podium Results
- Gold: Lucas Braathen Pinheiro (Norway/Brazil) secured the top spot with a total time of 2:25.00.
- Silver: Marco Odermatt (Switzerland).
- Bronze: Loic Meillard (Switzerland).
Ceccarelli’s participation marks a significant milestone for Team Philippines in the 2026 Winter Games, as the country continues to build its presence in winter sports. His finish in the top 60 of a highly competitive field underscores the progress of Filipino athletes in international alpine skiing.