Alex Astridge
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Alexander Astridge |
| Born | 2 June 2006 Cambridge, United Kingdom |
| Skiing career | |
| Country |  United Arab Emirates |
| Sport | Alpine skiing |
| Club | Ski Dubai |
| Disciplines | Slalom, giant slalom |
| Olympics | |
| Teams | 1 – (2026) |
| Medals | 0 |
Alexander Astridge (Arabic: ألكسندر أستريدج; born 2 June 2006) is a British-born alpine skier for the United Arab Emirates.[1][2]
Astridge studies at Heriot-Watt University in Dubai.[1]
Early life
Astridge was born in Cambridge, England but moved to the United Arab Emirates with his family at the age of six months.[2][3] He learned to ski at Ski Dubai at the age of 3.[3]
Astridge developed as a skier primarily through training on Ski Dubai’s indoor slope at the Mall of the Emirates, an atypical pathway for an alpine skier from a country without natural mountain terrain.[4]
Career
Astridge made his international racing debut on 6 November 2023 in a FIS Entry League race at Ski Dubai.[5] Two months later, he became the first ski racer from the United Arab Emirates to compete in the Winter Youth Olympic Games.[6] He finished 38th in the slalom at the competitions in Gangwon, but did not compete in the giant slalom despite being registered.[7]
Astridge represented the United Arab Emirates at the 2025 Asian Winter Games, finishing 17th in the slalom event.[8]
In 2026, Astridge qualified to compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics in the slalom, becoming the first man from the United Arab Emirates to compete at the Winter Olympics.[9][10] At the games, in a race noted for its high rate of attrition,[11] Astridge was among the 49 competitors (of 95 starters) who were not able to successfully complete their first run.[12][13]
Olympic results
| Year | ||||||
| Age | Slalom | Giant slalom |
Super-G | Downhill | Team combined | |
| 2026 | 19 | DNF1 | — | — | — | — |
References
- 1 2 Abulleil, Reem. "'Doing this for my home': Alex Astridge relishes chance to make history for UAE at Winter Olympics". The National. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
- 1 2 "Alex Astridge hopes to inspire younger generation representing UAE at Olympics". The Independent. 27 January 2026. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
- 1 2 Federation, International Ski and Snowboard. "#SnowStories: Raised in the desert, defined by the mountains – Alex Astridge puts UAE on the Alpine map". www.fis-ski.com. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
- ↑ Reporter, Staff (27 January 2026). "Alex Astridge hopes to inspire younger generation representing UAE at Olympics". www.limerickleader.ie. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
- ↑ Federation, International Ski and Snowboard. "FIS | Alexander ASTRIDGE - Athlete Biography - Alpine Skiing". www.fis-ski.com. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
- ↑ "OCA » UAE to make Winter YOG debut with two athletes in Korea". oca.asia. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
- ↑ Nelsen, Matt (28 January 2026). "Alex Astridge on blazing a trail for winter sport in the United Arab Emirates: "I'm doing this for my home"". Olympics. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
- ↑ Federation, International Ski and Snowboard. "FIS | Alpine Skiing Results - Yabuli Ski Resort (CHN) 2024/2025". www.fis-ski.com. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
- ↑ Lewis, Andy. "UAE set for historic first participation in Winter Olympics". The National. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
- ↑ "Olympedia – Alex Astridge". www.olympedia.org. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
- ↑ Lange, Peter (16 February 2026). "Olympic Men's Slalom Run 1: McGrath Leads Chaotic Opening at Milan/Cortina 2026". Ski Racing. Vol. Ski Racing Media. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
- ↑ Ilsley, Robert (17 February 2026). "Alex Astridge makes Winter Olympic debut for UAE". Gulf News. Dubai: Al Nisr Publishing. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
- ↑ "Results - Run 1 - Men's Slalom - Milano Cortina 2026" (PDF). FIS-ski.com. International Ski and Snowboard Federation. Retrieved 12 March 2026.