CANTON — St. Lawrence University junior Emma Gatcliffe ’27 will compete in alpine skiing at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, representing Trinidad and Tobago.

Gatcliffe, a member of the Saints alpine ski team, will race in both the giant slalom and slalom events. She is scheduled to attend the opening ceremonies Feb. 6, followed by approximately one week of training before competing in the giant slalom Feb. 15 and the slalom Feb. 18.

Kappa Kappa Gamma will host a send-off celebration for Gatcliffe at 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, at 45 East Main St. in Canton. The campus community is invited to attend and show support as Gatcliffe prepares to compete on the world’s biggest stage.

“I am so excited for this experience, as it gives me the opportunity to ski alongside elite athletes I have admired since I was a kid,” Gatcliffe said. “I feel incredibly grateful to represent Trinidad as the first female athlete at the Winter Olympics. Being part of something so much bigger than myself is an honor, and I hope my journey can inspire others to pursue their goals.”

Gatcliffe has competed for St. Lawrence at both the Colby Carnival and the SLU Carnival this season, recording a 32nd-place finish in the giant slalom at Whiteface Mountain. She also placed third in the giant slalom at the Clarkson races in Lake Placid. Last year, she represented Trinidad and Tobago at the World Junior Championships.

St. Lawrence head coach Willi Steinrotter said Gatcliffe’s Olympic qualification reflects years of dedication and steady progress.

“She’s been skiing well, and we look forward to watching her excel in Italy,” Steinrotter said. “It’s every athlete’s dream to represent their country, and it’s very fulfilling to see Emma achieve that dream.”