Emma Gatcliffe
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 14 July 2005 Ontario, Canada |
| Occupation | Alpine skier |
| Sport | |
| Country |
|
| College team | St. Lawrence Saints |
| Skiing career | |
| Disciplines | Slalom, giant slalom |
| Club | Georgian Peaks |
| Olympics | |
| Teams | 1 – (2026) |
| Medals | 0 |
Emma Gatcliffe (born 14 July 2005) is a Canadian and Trinidadian alpine skier. She is the first female skier to represent Trinidad and Tobago at the Winter Olympics.
Early life and education
Gatcliffe was born in Canada on 14 July 2005 to a Trinidadian father and a French-Canadian mother and holds dual citizenship.[1] Her older brother, James, is also ski racer.[2] She grew up in Clarksburg, Ontario and boarded at Green Mountain Valley School in Waitsfield, Vermont, where she was a member of the alpine ski, lacrosse, and soccer teams.[3][3] She attends St. Lawrence University, where she is a member of the St. Lawrence Saints alpine ski team and Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.[4][5]
Career
Gatcliffe started racing in FIS-level international events in December 2021 at the age of 16 while still under the auspices of Alpine Canada.[6] She formally switched federations to the Trinidad and Tobago Snowsports Federation between the 2024 and 2025 seasons.[7]
Her first major international competition was the 2025 Junior World Championships in Tarvisio, Italy, where her best finish was 48th in the giant slalom.[2]
She represented Trinidad and Tobago at the 2026 Winter Olympics, competing in slalom and giant slalom. She served as her nation's flag-bearer, alongside Nikhil Alleyne, in the Parade of Nations during the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony.[8][9]
Her 2026 Olympic performances were praised by officials and coaches. In her home country her performances were regarded as "notable" and it was regarded as "another milestone" for the winter sports program of Trinidad, that is still in an early stage.[10]
Olympic results
| Year | ||||||
| Age | Slalom | Giant slalom |
Super-G | Downhill | Team combined | |
| 2026 | 20 | DNF1 | 45 | — | — | — |
References
- ^ "Emma GATCLIFFE". Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
- ^ a b Thompson-King, Rachael (4 March 2025). "T&T's Gatcliffe finishes 48th in giant slalom at World Ski Junior Championship". Trinidad and Tobago Guardian. Guardian Media Limited. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Emma Gatcliffe - Alpine Skiing". St. Lawrence University Athletics.
- ^ "11 Olympians Represent St. Lawrence on the World Stage | St. Lawrence University". www.stlawu.edu. 6 February 2026.
- ^ Becque, Fran (4 February 2026). "Fraternity and Sorority Members Competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics". Fraternity History & More. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
- ^ "Emma Gatcliffe - Athlete Biography". FIS-ski.com. International Ski and Snowboard Federation. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ "FIS Council Meeting 4th June 2024 - Reykjavik (ISL) - Summary Minutes" (PDF). FIS-Ski.com. International Ski and Snowboard Federation. p. 13. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ "Alpine Athletes Named as Flag Bearers for Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games". Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee. 4 February 2026. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ "Alleyne, Gatcliffe, Winter Olympics flag bearers". Trinidad Express. 4 February 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "T&T's Gatcliffe completes giant slalom run". Trinidad Express. 15 February 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
...Gatcliffe was the only Caribbean athlete in yesterday's giant slalom field, and her completion of both runs underlined the progress of Trinidad and Tobago in winter sport competition. Against a world-class roster, she produced a steady performance across two technical descents, turning in times that kept her clear of the many competitors who failed to finish. While not contending for a podium spot, Gatcliffe's result is notable for its resilience and consistency on an Olympic stage where simply finishing both runs is a benchmark of execution and nerve. Her 45th-place finish will be viewed at home as another milestone for a programme still in its early stages on snow. Coaches and officials praised Gatcliffe's focus and poise, saying the experience gained in Italy should prove valuable as she and the small but ambitious Team TTO build toward future international starts...