Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Francis Ceccarelli. Photos courtesy Philippine Ski and Snowboard Federation

Article (news)

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768718900626FC-image1.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Francis Ceccarelli. <em>Photos courtesy Philippine Ski and Snowboard Federation</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Filipino-Italian skier Francis Ceccarelli is not putting any pressure on himself for when makes his debut at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy next month.  </p><p>Ceccarelli is the first Filipino to qualify through a quota spot in the quadrennial meet.</p><p>&quot;It&#x27;s very important [for me] and for another for the people — you know, Filipinos. I&#x27;m so really proud, very happy because it&#x27;s my first Olympic Games. I hope I make [it] to another [Olympic] Games, another participation in another Olympic Games,&quot; he told ABS-CBN News.</p><p>&quot;For this Olympic Games, my goal is really [to take in the] atmosphere of the Olympic Games,&quot; Ceccarelli said.</p><p>The 22-year-old alpine skier has been representing the Philippines since 2023, last competing in the 2024 Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China.</p><p>He got disqualified in Harbin in his first run for running his slalom out of line.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/1/18/2-filipinos-to-compete-in-2026-winter-olympics-in-february-1338"><strong>READ: 2 Filipinos to compete in 2026 Winter Olympics in February<br/></strong></a></div><p>Ceccarelli said one of the biggest lessons he learned in Harbin was to not let himself get weighed down by expectations and pressure.</p><p>&quot;I told many people I’m so really chilling, no pressure because, uh, you know, if you have a pressure, you don&#x27;t start, or your finish DNF (Did Not Finish)] or really bad,&quot; Ceccarelli said.</p><p>&quot;You think so many things, I want gold, I want [to be] really good. So it&#x27;s important to stay focused, you know? And don&#x27;t have pressure [on yourself]. So this is important lesson [for me],&quot; he added.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768718940827FC-1.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><p>Aside from gaining valuable experience at the Winter Olympics, the Filipino-Italian skier said he wants to crack the top 50 in the world.</p><p>&quot;My goal is [to be] in the 40, 40 or 45 in the world. Because I’m so really happy because in the world, 45 in the world is very tough,&quot; he said.</p><p>With less than a month left until the Winter Games, Ceccarelli said they are ramping up preparations and joining races to rack up more FIS points.</p><p>He is currently training in Valle d’Aosta in Aosta Valley in Italy, while his home base is in Abetone, Tuscany.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Pinoy heart</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The 22-year-old was born in Quezon City, Philippines but was adopted by Italian parents and moved to Italy at eight years old.</p><p>According to Olympics.com, Ceccarelli learned skiing from his adoptive mother, former professional skier Lisa Seghi.</p><p>&quot;When I was adopted, after three or four months, my mom taught me how to do skiing in front of my home. I practically [picked up] skiing when I was eight years old. Then I started racing and training,&quot; he said.  </p><p>&quot;Abetone teached me everything I know in skiing, the technical [aspect] and everything,&quot; Ceccarelli added.</p><p>He says his inspirations in life are alpine skier Marcel Hirscher, often regarded as the greatest in his sport, as well as football icon Francesco Totti and eight-division world champion boxer Manny Pacquiao.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768719029528Fc-9.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><p>After staying in his hometown of Abetone for over a decade, Ceccarelli said his desire to represent the Philippines on the international stage still remained through the years.</p><p>&quot;My story is a little bit complicated. But I can tell you for these last years, we worked really hard to get [my] passport because my blood, my heart is really Pinoy. I told my mom I really want to ski for the Philippines,&quot; Ceccarelli said.</p><p>When asked if skiing for Italy was an option, the Filipino-Italian said there&#x27;s a lot of competition since the sport is popular in the country.</p><p>Ceccarelli hopes his debut in the Winter Olympics will help inspire the next generation of skiers, which he aims to help develop as well.  </p><p>&quot;My heart, my blood is really Filipino. And I want [people] to see that Filipinos can do it [can compete] in winter sports,&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;My message is stay strong, work hard and really focus for all your dreams because if you don&#x27;t dream you don&#x27;t make nothing. If you have a big dream, you can reach your best,&quot; Ceccarelli shared.</p><p>The 2026 Winter Olympics will run from February 6 to 22 in Milan and Cortina d&#x27;Ampezzo in Italy.</p>

<p>Filipino-Italian skier Francis Ceccarelli is not putting any pressure on himself for when makes his debut at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy next month.</p>

Filipino-Italian skier Francis Ceccarelli is not putting any pressure on himself for when makes his debut at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy next month.

Filipino-Italian skier Francis Ceccarelli raring for Winter Olympics debut

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Filipino-Italian skier Francis Ceccarelli raring for Winter Olympics debut

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 18, 2026 03:15 PM PHT

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Winter Olympics

Winter Olympic Games

Milano Cortina

Francis Ceccarelli

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