ALPINE skier Aruwin Salehhuddin is ready to realise her dreams when she zigzags down Beijing's slopes in the women's giant slalom at the Winter Olympics today.
National team manager Salehhuddin Ayob said Aruwin, who is only 17, has a clear vision of what she wants to achieve on her Winter Games debut.
Aruwin, who is set to become the first Malaysian woman to compete in the Winter Olympics, will also be the nation's youngest ever representative at the games.
"Aruwin has told us that she has a plan and she knows what she is capable of," said Salehhuddin when contacted in Beijing.
"She believes she can do well if she can execute her plan over the two runs on Monday (today).
"The coaches also feel the same. We are not expecting any medals from her at this stage of her career."
Salehhuddin disclosed that Aruwin, who is coached by Croatian Mladen Bezjak, got her first taste of the competition course yesterday albeit without gates. Gates are the poles which skiers have to navigate on the course.
"Her training sessions here with Mladen have gone well so far. The first few days (of training) were done on the training course.
"The first day was only free skiing to get a feel of the environment here. The second day was with a gated course which was jointly decided on with the other nations.
"The conditions on the third day were a bit windy but we still managed to get a good session in.
"Tomorrow (yesterday) will be the first time the athletes get the chance to ski on the actual competitions course. I believe they will allow two or three runs each on the course but without gates.
"The snow has been a bit grippy here which may not be to the liking of all the skiers but Aruwin is okay with the conditions."
Salehhuddin, who is also Aruwin's father, admitted it will personally be a memorable moment for him to see his daughter compete at the Winter Olympics.
He, himself, is an Olympian, having represented the country in canoeing at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics.
"Walking into the stadium behind her for the opening ceremony (Friday) was just a special moment," added Salehhuddin.
"It is something that is hard to describe with words."
Aruwin will also be competing in the women's slalom event on Wednesday.
Aruwin and fellow Alpine skier Jeffrey Webb (the only other athlete in the national contingent), were Malaysia's flag bearers at the opening ceremony.
Jeffrey, who is making his second appearance at the Winter Olympics, will compete in the men's slalom event on Feb 16.