Canada Shines at Milano-Cortina Paralympics: A Golden Start and Inspiring Stories
The 2026 Milano-Cortina Paralympic Winter Games have begun with a flurry of excitement for Team Canada, marked by impressive performances and heartwarming stories of resilience. The Games kicked off on Saturday with Canada securing three medals – two silver and a bronze – a noteworthy start to the competition.
Eriksson and Smith Make History in Downhill
Para alpine skier Kalle Eriksson and his guide Sierra Smith captured Canada’s first medal of the Games, earning silver in the men’s visually impaired downhill event. The duo completed the course in one minute 18.33 seconds at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. This marks their Paralympic debut as a team, having only begun competing together in 2022. Prior to the Paralympics, they achieved success with silver medals at the 2025 world championships and have accumulated 22 World Cup medals over three seasons.
“Both me and Sierra are on top of the world right now and still pumping. I can’t believe our run and I’m so proud of how we did it,” said Eriksson, reflecting the elation of the moment. Smith added, “It definitely wasn’t perfect but we hit the points we wanted to, and we skied very strong.”
Oatway’s Triumphant Return to the Podium
Calgarian Kurt Oatway added to Canada’s medal count with a bronze in the men’s downhill sitting competition. His time of 1:19.42 secured his place on the podium. This victory is particularly poignant, as Oatway faced a significant setback after a crash at the 2022 Para Snow Sports World Championships, which forced him to miss the Beijing Winter Games.
“I had a poor crash: broke my collarbone, three ribs in five places, tore two ligaments and punctured a lung,” Oatway shared. “I was unfortunately taken out of China, and as soon as I was in the hospital, it was, ‘This isn’t the end, this isn’t how it ends’… The road to coming back was long, but here I am, and I’ve got a piece of hardware to show for it.”
Wilkie Secures Silver in Biathlon
Natalie Wilkie continued Canada’s success, claiming silver in the women’s standing sprint biathlon event. The 25-year-old from Salmon Arm, B.C., finished the 7.5-kilometre course in 18:46.4 with a clean shooting record. Wilkie, a decorated athlete with seven medals from previous Paralympic Winter Games, expressed her excitement, stating, “It doesn’t feel real.”
Challenges and Resilience on Display
Not all athletes enjoyed immediate success. Alexis Guimond experienced a DNF (Did Not Finish) in the men’s standing downhill, even as Mollie Jepsen, a previous gold medalist, finished just off the podium in fourth place and revealed a re-aggravation of a lower-body injury that may impact her participation in further events.
Russia Returns to the Paralympic Stage
The Milano-Cortina Games also marked the return of Russian athletes competing under their own flag for the first time in 12 years. Varvara Voronchikhina and Aleksei Bugaev secured bronze medals in the women’s and men’s downhill standing competitions, respectively. This moment was particularly significant after years of competing as neutral athletes due to doping violations and geopolitical factors.
Looking Ahead: Canada’s Paralympic Journey
Canada’s strong start at the Milano-Cortina Paralympics sets a positive tone for the remainder of the Games. With a diverse range of athletes and compelling stories of perseverance, Team Canada is poised to inspire audiences worldwide.
FAQ
Q: Where are the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games being held?
A: The Games are being held in Milano and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
Q: What is the role of a guide in Para alpine skiing for visually impaired athletes?
A: The guide communicates with the skier through a two-way headset, providing crucial cues to navigate the course safely and effectively.
Q: How did Kurt Oatway overcome his injury to compete at the Paralympics?
A: Oatway faced a long and arduous recovery process after a serious crash, but remained determined to compete at the Milano-Cortina Games.
Q: What is biathlon in the Paralympics?
A: Para biathlon combines cross-country skiing and target shooting, requiring athletes to balance speed and accuracy.
Q: What challenges did Mollie Jepsen face during her downhill race?
A: Jepsen re-aggravated a lower-body injury from a month ago, potentially impacting her participation in future events.
Did you know? Kurt Oatway studied geology at the University of Saskatchewan before dedicating himself to Para alpine skiing.
Pro Tip: Staying updated on the Paralympic schedule and athlete profiles can enhance your enjoyment of the Games.
Stay tuned for more updates on Team Canada’s performance at the Milano-Cortina Paralympic Winter Games. Share your thoughts and cheer on our athletes in the comments below!
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