Seventeen-year-old Neringa Stepanauskaitė is poised to make her Olympic debut in the giant slalom event, starting alongside 75 other female alpine skiers at the Tofano Ski Centre near Cortina d'Ampezzo. The competition is highly anticipated, with the first run set to begin at 11 AM and the second at 2:30 PM, Lithuanian time. Neringa expressed her feelings regarding the upcoming event, acknowledging that while she may not feel much excitement now, the nerves will likely hit her closer to the race time, which is a normal sentiment among athletes before such significant competitions.

In addition to her participation in skiing, Neringa also represented Lithuania at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on February 6, held across multiple venues in Italy. Being the youngest member of the Lithuanian delegation, she embodies the hopes and aspirations of her country as it makes its mark on the international stage through these games. The giant slalom event features a challenging course of 1300 meters with a vertical drop of 395 meters, highlighting the skills required for success in alpine skiing.

As the competition unfolds, both her family and the Lithuanian community will undoubtedly support her, celebrating her achievements regardless of the outcomes. Neringa's story serves as an inspiration for young athletes back home in Lithuania, representing the courage and determination needed to succeed at the highest levels of sport, and bringing attention to the winter sports scene in the country.