Team Malta’s cross country skier Jenny Axisa Eriksen will be in action on Thursday 12 February when she lines up for the Women’s 10km Cross-Country Skiing Interval Race at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, with the race scheduled to start at 1:00pm.
Axisa Eriksen will compete in a strong international field of 111 athletes, representing 46 countries, with several high-profile competitors, including medallists from the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, expected to take part. While the final start list will be confirmed on Wednesday evening, the depth of the field reflects the strength traditionally shown by the Nordic nations in this discipline.
Against this backdrop, Team Malta is approaching the race with measured expectations. While medals are not the immediate objective, there is confidence that Axisa Eriksen will deliver a committed and competitive performance, gaining valuable experience at the highest level of international competition and continuing to build Malta’s presence in winter sport.
Since arriving in Italy last Thursday, Axisa Eriksen has been training daily at Tesero, working closely with her coach Henrik Skjørvold Pedersen to familiarise herself with the course, snow conditions, and race terrain. Preparation has focused on pacing, technique, and confidence ahead of the interval-start format.
The 10km free event is unique in that it is the only cross-country race at Milano Cortina to use interval starts, meaning athletes begin the race at staggered times. The winner is therefore determined by the fastest overall time, rather than the first athlete to cross the finish line.Speaking ahead of the race, Axisa Eriksen highlighted the pride and responsibility of representing Malta on the Olympic stage:
“Competing for Malta is a huge honour and a privilege. Being an Olympian comes with responsibility, but also with immense pride. I will give my very best on Thursday and do everything I can to make Malta proud.”
Team Malta Chef de Mission Maria Vella-Galea emphasised the importance of the environment surrounding the athlete, particularly as this marks Axisa Eriksen’s first Olympic appearance:
“We are a small, tight-knit team here in the Predazzo Olympic Village, and that has helped create a calm, supportive environment for Jenny. For a first-time Olympian, that sense of stability and trust is invaluable. She is focused, prepared, and ready to give her best for Malta, and that in itself is something we are very proud of.”
The Women’s 10km Cross-Country Skiing Interval Race will start at 1:00pm on Thursday 12 February, with Axisa Eriksen starting in the 103rd position and aiming to translate months of preparation into a strong and determined performance for Team Malta.
