Inspiring a nation by skiing the glass ceiling
Given the relative obscurity of alpine skiing in Malaysia, Salehhuddin often trains, travels and competes alone on the FIS circuit. But that doesn’t mean she has a shortage of followers.
“I do receive support from Malaysia,” she confirms. “I think my interest is in doing something very different and unusual, and I really appreciate that.”
She also knows there is room to increase the sport’s recognition, especially through indoor skiing, simulators and dry-slope resorts, which is why Salehhuddin hopes to make an impact where it counts.
“It’s so proud to represent Malaysian women,‘, the 21-year-old tells Olympics.com. ‘I really want to see more, to be honest. I want more girls to come out; go out and do what they love, even in winter sports.”
She has already been contacted by the parents of young skiers who want to represent Malaysia, seeking advice on how to navigate the complex world of skiing.
“I know that for a tropical country, skiing is really something that is there. It will take some time for it to develop, and I really want to work on developing it myself.”
While her visibility has given her the opportunity to shape the future of skiing in Malaysia, it is not something Salehhuddin takes for granted: “I was 17 years old when I started at the Olympic Games.”
“I think everything being so young and out there, everything was just so surreal,” she adds. “You don’t really have that feeling of ‘wow, I really am the first female Malaysian Winter Olympian’ until you look back on it a little bit.”
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