From snowfields to the Olympic stage: Jenny Axisa Erikson\u2019s historic journey representing Malta<\/p>\n
Malta’s entire presence at the 2026 Winter Olympics rested on one athlete, as 20-year-old cross-country skier Jenny Axisa Erikson competed as the country’s sole representative at the Games.<\/p>\n
Born to a Maltese mother and a Norwegian father, Axisa Erikson, 20, lined up in the women’s 10km freestyle event, finishing in 107th place with a time of 32 minutes and 51.4 seconds.<\/p>\n
In an interview with The Malta Independent on Sunday, the first-year senior competitor described the experience as both overwhelming and deeply meaningful, saying she felt immense pride in carrying the Maltese flag alone on one of the world’s biggest sporting stages.<\/p>\n
Axisa Erikson said representing Malta in a winter sport with no local tradition was a responsibility she embraced rather than feared. She explained that her main motivation was to bring visibility to cross-country skiing in a country better known for sunshine than snow, and to show that athletes from smaller nations can still compete internationally in highly specialised disciplines. While she acknowledged that the sport is relatively unknown in many parts of the world, she noted that it is extremely popular and fiercely competitive in Norway, where she grew up and learned to ski.<\/p>\n
The Olympics themselves, she said, were both exciting and daunting. Entering the Games during her first season as a senior athlete meant competing against far more experienced skiers, many of whom had years of international competition behind them. She admitted feeling extremely nervous in the weeks leading up to the event, particularly as the reality of the competition drew closer. Living inside the Olympic Village added to the intensity, as she found herself surrounded by world-famous athletes she had previously only seen on television.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Despite the scale of the event, she said she never felt additional pressure because she represented a country without winter sports infrastructure. Instead, she viewed her role as symbolic, helping to introduce Malta to a new sporting environment. She pointed out that while she visits Malta regularly, it is impossible to train there due to the climate and lack of facilities, meaning her entire preparation takes place abroad.<\/p>\n
Her skiing journey began in Norway at a very early age. Like many children there, she first learned to ski as a toddler, starting at around two or three years old. Weekly skiing trips during kindergarten quickly turned the activity into a routine part of her childhood. By the time she was six or seven, she had joined a local ski club at her mother’s encouragement, marking the beginning of her competitive career.<\/p>\n
As she grew older, her commitment to the sport deepened. She moved away from home as a teenager to attend a specialised skiing school, a decision she described as a turning point. Around the age of fifteen she realised she wanted to dedicate herself fully to the sport and began working with a private coach to follow a structured training programme. This shift transformed skiing from a recreational activity into a serious athletic pursuit requiring discipline, time management and long-term focus.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Her qualification for the Olympics came unexpectedly. While competing at the World Championships last year, she initially believed her results would simply contribute points towards future competitions. It was only after hearing other athletes discuss Olympic qualification that she realised she might have accumulated enough points to be eligible. After confirming this, she contacted Malta’s Olympic authorities, who ultimately approved her participation following internal discussions. She said the response was swift and supportive, with officials expressing strong enthusiasm about sending her to the Games.<\/p>\n
In the year leading up to the Olympics, she trained in Lillehammer with Team Hedmark Sjusjøen, under coach Henrick Pedersen. Joining the professional team marked a significant change from her earlier training environment. Initially, she found the transition intimidating because she did not know anyone on the squad, but she soon discovered a supportive and inclusive atmosphere. Experienced athletes regularly offered advice and encouragement, helping younger teammates adjust to the demands of elite competition.<\/p>\n
Her training routine reflects the extreme physical demands of cross-country skiing, widely regarded as one of the most taxing endurance sports. She typically completes multiple interval sessions each week alongside long endurance workouts lasting up to three and a half hours, as well as regular strength training. Recovery plays an equally critical role, with scheduled rest days, daily naps between sessions and careful attention to nutrition forming essential parts of her routine. She explained that without proper rest and diet, maintaining performance levels would be impossible.<\/p>\n
One of her biggest concerns ahead of the Olympics was avoiding illness, which can disrupt training for weeks in endurance sports. In the months leading up to the Games she took strict precautions, avoiding crowded places and maintaining rigorous hygiene habits to minimise any risk of getting sick.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Balancing elite sport with a social life has been difficult. During her time at skiing school, most of her friends were also athletes, meaning training sessions doubled as social interaction. However, maintaining contact with friends outside the sport has become increasingly challenging due to her demanding schedule. She said her daily routine often revolves entirely around training, study and recovery, leaving little time for other activities except during a short off-season period each year.<\/p>\n
Entering the Olympics, she deliberately avoided setting specific performance targets because she was unfamiliar with the overall level of competitors from outside Norway. Instead, she focused on personal effort, aiming simply to complete her race with a strong performance and a sense that she had given everything possible.<\/p>\n
She described the Olympic Village as a surreal environment where the extraordinary and ordinary coexist. Encountering world-renowned athletes in casual settings felt strange, as they appeared far more approachable in person than their public images suggested. She also praised the organisers and support staff, saying they provided excellent guidance and assistance throughout her stay, ensuring she felt well supported as Malta’s only participant.<\/p>\n
Weather conditions posed challenges during preparations, as unusually warm temperatures caused snow to melt and tracks to become slushy. However, she commended organisers for maintaining high-quality racing conditions on competition days, noting that the tracks were carefully prepared and remained in excellent shape.<\/p>\n
Beyond her own performance, she said one of the most meaningful aspects of her Olympic experience has been the response from young people, particularly girls with Maltese heritage living in countries where winter sports are accessible. She has received numerous messages from aspiring athletes who said her journey inspired them. She encourages them to pursue their ambitions regardless of circumstances, emphasising that success depends on dedication, perseverance and the willingness to seize opportunities.<\/p>\n
Looking ahead, she faces uncertainty about balancing her sporting ambitions with academic goals. She plans to pursue medical studies, a path that may be difficult to combine with the intense training required for elite competition. While she remains passionate about skiing, she acknowledged that maintaining both commitments will require careful decisions in the coming years. She has not ruled out continuing to compete, particularly with future international championships and the possibility of another Olympic appearance still within reach.<\/p>\n
Her participation as Malta’s sole athlete at the Winter Olympics represents a significant milestone for the country’s sporting history. By stepping onto the world stage alone, she not only achieved a personal dream but also expanded Malta’s presence into a new sporting arena, demonstrating that determination and opportunity can allow athletes from even the warmest climates to compete on snow.<\/p>\n