A Winter Paralympics to Remember
The 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan Cortina d'Ampezzo proved to be a memorable event for ParalympicsGB, with the team marking several historic moments and milestones during the Games.
Historic Firsts and Breakthroughs
Milano Cortina 2026 also saw several groundbreaking moments for the British team.
- Nina Sparks became the first woman to represent ParalympicsGB in Para Snowboard.
- Para snowboarder Davy Zyw made history as the first athlete diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease to compete at a Winter Paralympic Games.
- A total of 17 athletes competed in their first Paralympic Winter Games, including teenagers Dom Allen, Sam Cozens, and Hester Poole.
These debuts reflect the continued development of talent within the British winter Para sport pathway.
Simpson Adds Another Medal to His Collection
One of the standout performances came from Neil Simpson, who secured a silver medal in the Super Combined event alongside his guide Rob Poth. The result further cemented Simpson’s legacy, giving him a complete Paralympic medal set, gold, silver and bronze, earned across both the 2022 Winter Paralympics in Beijing and Milano Cortina 2026.
In the final Alpine skiing event, the men’s slalom, Simpson and Poth were pushing for another podium finish. However, difficult weather conditions and heavy snowfall overnight made the course challenging, leading to a DNF.
Despite that result, the event highlighted the promising future of British Para Alpine skiing, with young athletes Sam Cozens and Dom Allen both competing and gaining valuable experience on the Paralympic stage.
Close Call in Mixed Doubles Wheelchair Curling
Another highlight came in the new discipline of Mixed Doubles Wheelchair Curling, where Jo Butterfield and Jason Kean competed strongly. The pair narrowly missed out on reaching the semi-finals after losing on the final stone in an extra end one of the closest finishes of the competition.
Experienced Athletes Return to the Paralympic Stage
Several seasoned Paralympians also returned to compete at their third Winter Games, including:
- Scott Meenagh
- James Barnes-Miller
- Menna Fitzpatrick
- Hugh Nibloe
Their continued presence highlights the dedication and longevity of Britain’s top winter Para athletes.
A Games to Remember
From record-breaking achievements to inspiring debuts, Milano Cortina 2026 added another proud chapter to the history of ParalympicsGB. The performances across multiple sports not only celebrated current success but also signalled a bright future for British athletes on the winter Paralympic stage.