Yabuli, China, February 7, 2025: Only Sweet Sixteen, life is “just fun’ for Tallulah Proulx of the Philippines whose ever-present smile is warm enough to thaw the freeze in Yabuli, the snow venue for the Harbin Asian Winter Games, where temperatures dipped to minus 24 degrees Centigrade on Friday, February 7.
“It is going to be fun, and for me I hope this will be another step in my learning curve,” remarked Tallulah on the eve of competition. “I approach every race as a learning experience.”
Alpine ski racer Tallulah has been skiing for 13 years since the age of three, and competing for nine years.
On Saturday, February 8, Tallulah will begin her campaign in the women’s slalom event at the Heilongjiang Yabuli Sports Training Base. Her teammate Francis Ceccarelli will showcase his talents in the men’s slalom the following day.
“Ever since I was little, I’ve loved skiing. I would eagerly wait for my parents to help me with my ski boots and then go up the mountain and rip the slopes,” said Tallulah.
Tallulah lives in the United States, a resident of Park City, Utah, and in close range to the mountains, something she is grateful for.
“Once I switched to racing, my passion for the sport and the joy of it has remained unchanged. Every day that I go out and ski, I come back feeling accomplished and thankful that I have such great opportunities in my life,” Tallulah said.
She and teammate Francis, who is based in Italy, hope this feeling of accomplishment can one day be shared with fellow-Filipinos, and believe their presence in Yabuli could be the spark to set alight interest in skiing in the Philippines.
“Yes, I guess we are pioneers, and I hope we can raise the profile of the sport back in the Philippines. I want everyone to know what fun alpine skiing is,” she gushed.
Before the 20-strong squad of Pinoy athletes left Manila for Harbin, Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino remarked: “I believe our winter sport athletes can deliver, not in terms of medals, but in terms of exposure and experience that’s needed as we also put weight on our thrust for the Winter Olympics.”
Tallulah says ‘Amen’ to those sentiments. She also dreams of one day competing at the Winter Olympics.