By Eleanor Gee

Kasete Naufahu Skeen, Olympian Pita Taufatofua and Makeleta Piukala Stephan, relative newcomers to the sport of skiing, have their eyes set on the FIS World Championships in Europe this month. They will compete against the best skiers in the world in a bid to represent Tonga at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Royal Tonga Ski Federation (RTSF) Director of Sports, Dr Steve Grundmann said that this is the first time Kasete and Pita will represent Tonga and the Royal Tonga Ski Federation at an international event.

“They are both very motivated and are looking forward to it. Kasete is even training with a broken hand at the moment. He has a special splint and protection.”

“Both are making very good progress in the short amount of time. They both have to get their body in shape with the required athletic training,” he said.

Kasete, who quit his full-time job last year to focus on training and up until then was only an occasional skier, will compete at the FIS Alpine World Championships in St Moritz, Switzerland, in the Giant Slalom on 16 February.

Pita Taufatofua is new to skiing having only picked up skis a few months ago for the first time in his life after announcing his transition from taekwondo to cross-country skiing. Pita represented Tonga in Taekwondo at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

“Pita’s progress is amazing. If you consider the circumstances we have to use every minute for training,“ said Dr Grundmann.

“Pita has to transform his muscle structure to long distance and stamina requirements.”

Makeleta and Pita will both compete at the FIS Nordic World Championships in Lahti, Finland, in the skating sprint on 23 February.

Makeleta who had never skied prior to being recruited only entered her first race representing Tonga in the FIS World Championship in Falun, Sweden, in 2015.

The three skiers share a goal to make history and represent Tonga for the first time in their ski disciplines. If they are successful, they will join Bruno Banani, the first Tongan in history to qualify for a Winter Olympic Games. He competed in luge at the 2014Winter Olympic in Sochi.