Tallulah saves best for last

BORMIO, Italy – It was yet another proud moment for Tallulah Proulx and the rest of Team Philippines in the 25th Winter Olympics here.

In sub-zero weather conditions, the Utah-based 17-year-old kept her poise, and balance, and did well in the women’s slalom event of alpine skiing Wednesday.

“I fought till the end so I’m really proud of myself and my result today,” Proulx said during an interview conducted by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation.

Proulx cleared both runs when 42 other skiers failed. She placed 50th overall after finishing 52nd among 81 participants in the giant slalom last Sunday.

The cheerful Fil-American covered the first run down the frozen slopes of the iconic Tofane Alpine Skiing Center in Cortina in 1:02.93 and the second in 1:05.55.

With an aggregate time of 2:08.48, Proulx gave the Philippines, her father’s country of birth, an added reason to look back at the Games with joy.

It capped a short stint for the Philippines in this edition, which saw Fil-Italian Francis Ceccarelli finish 54th in the men’s giant slalom and tumble out in the slalom.

Ceccarelli made sure he did the next best thing after the disappointment last Monday. He traveled 350 kms by land, from Bormio to Cortina, to cheer on Proulx.

Together, at the close of the day’s schedule, they smiled and held the Philippine flag before the cameras.

Proulx takes great pride in being the first Filipina ever to compete in the Winter Olympics, where the Philippines booked its fourth stint in a row since 2014 in Russia.

“I feel so honored to be able to present an important part of my heritage on the biggest stage I’ll probably be on all my life,” said Proulx.

“For me, honestly, being the first Filipina at the Olympics is truly such a special moment,” said Proulx, who can’t wait to visit the Philippines for the first time.

“Let her (Proulx) be an inspiration to others,” said Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino, who thanked the Philippine Sports Commission under Patrick Gregorio for the all-out support.

American Mikaela Shiffrin, 30, bagged her third slalom gold 12 years after winning her first in Sochi, Russia. She also won it in 2018 in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Shiffrin posted a total time of 1:39.10 and was joined at the podium, at the same venue that hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics, by Switzerland’s Camille Rast (1:40.60) and Sweden’s Larsson Anna Swenn (1:40.81)