UAE Winter Olympics debut, Alex Astridge and Piera Hudson will make history as the first UAE athletes at the Winter Olympics, having trained at Ski Dubai before their 2026 Milan-Cortina Games.
UAE Winter Olympics Debut Athletes Rise
UAE Winter Olympics hopefuls Alex Astridge, 19, and Piera Hudson, 30, both sharpened their skills at Ski Dubai inside Mall of the Emirates, turning desert-based training into Olympic qualification. Alex, a Heriot-Watt Dubai student, began skiing at age three as a holiday skill that evolved into senior Olympic competition after his 38th-place slalom finish at the 2024 Junior Olympics in South Korea. Piera, a former New Zealand youth Olympian from 2012, discovered Ski Dubai upon relocating and found instant support from the facility and UAE winter sports federation.
Alex Astridge Olympic Journey
Alex Astridge’s UAE Winter Olympics debut path ignited during the Junior Olympics opening ceremony, where the global athlete spectacle inspired him to target senior competition. Training under coach Mohamed Moulay at Ski Dubai since 2022, he credits national backing and family for transforming a childhood lesson into this career-defining milestone. Alex aims to honour the UAE’s support by delivering a strong performance on the world stage.
Piera Hudson Olympic Story
Piera Hudson’s UAE Winter Olympics debut preparation builds on early skiing success and Ski Dubai’s welcoming environment after her Dubai move. The 30-year-old prioritises inspiring UAE youth over personal rankings, highlighting winter sports’ viability despite the region’s climate. She envisions she and Alex paving the way for larger UAE teams at the 2030 Olympics through increased visibility.
UAE Winter Sports Future
UAE Winter Olympics participation signals expanding athletic ambitions beyond athletics, football and judo, with Ski Dubai enabling desert-born winter talent development. Both athletes emphasise community inspiration as their core goal, aiming to spark grassroots interest and build a stronger national winter sports pipeline.
Gulf Repost celebrates UAE Winter Olympics pioneers Alex Astridge and Piera Hudson, spotlighting Ski Dubai’s pivotal role in nurturing Olympic dreams from the desert to global snowfields.
