Team SA’s Malica Malherbe bows out of women’s moguls at Winter Olympics

Malica Malherbe improved on her opening day performance in the women’s moguls freestyle skiing competition at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, but bowed out of the event at the qualification stage.

The 21-year-old, one of five Team South Africa athletes at the Games, had placed 25th in the first qualification on Tuesday, which meant that she had to finish in the top 10 of the second qualification on Wednesday to reach the 20-athlete final 1.

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Biggest ever delegation

However, she placed 17th this time, despite totalling 58.86 points, having compiled 55.85 points in Qualification 1. 

Her best score over the two days (58.66) saw her slot in at 27th in the overall field of 29 competitors.

The five Team SA athletes is the biggest delegation that the country has sent to a Winter Games, eclipsing the four that went to the 1960 Games in Squaw Valley, USA.

First Winter Olympics

There are two teenagers in the squad – Thomas Weir (17) and Lara Markthaler (18), while the other members are Malherbe (21), Nicole Burger (31) and Matthew Smith (35). 

This is Malherbe’s first Winter Olympics, to go alongside one World Championships participation with a best result of 27th in Women’s Moguls in 2025.

Her World Cup best is 18th and her best Junior World Championships finish is 12th.