Italian Paralympic Athletes Kick Off Training for Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games
Cortina, March 3, 2026 – Italian Paralympic athletes in alpine skiing, snowboard, and wheelchair curling have officially begun their training sessions in Cortina, preparing for the XIV Winter Paralympic Games Milano Cortina 2026. The athletes took to the ice and slopes today, Tuesday, March 3, where the competitions are scheduled to commence on March 7.
The alpine skiers trained on the Olympia delle Tofane slope, while the snowboarders tested the snow at the Cortina Para Snowboard Park. The Ice Stadium hosted the first practice throws for the wheelchair curling athletes.
The first contingent of athletes to arrive at the Cortina Paralympic Village on Sunday, March 1, were the wheelchair curling team, followed on Monday, March 2, by the alpine skiing and snowboard teams.
A total of twenty-three athletes are currently in Cortina, including three guide athletes. The breakdown includes 11 for alpine skiing, 5 for snowboard, and 7 for curling. The full Italian Paralympic Delegation comprises forty-two athletes, also including those participating in para ice hockey at the Arena Santa Giulia, and cross-country skiing and biathlon at the Tesero Cross-Country Stadium.
First Official Challenge for Mixed Doubles Curling Team
Tomorrow, March 4, marks the beginning of the official challenges. The mixed doubles wheelchair curling team will be the first to compete, facing Korea at 7:05 PM. Representing Italy will be Orietta Bertò and Paolo Ioriatti.
Giacomo Bertagnolli, a decorated athlete with four gold, three silver, and one bronze medal from the PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games, expressed his excitement: “The goal is to have fun. We are approaching this home Paralympics with my friends, and that’s fantastic. In the race, I hope to improve the results obtained four years ago in Beijing, or why not, aim for the podium in all five scheduled races.”
Andrea Ravelli, Giacomo Bertagnolli’s guide athlete, emphasized the significance of the home crowd: “The most beautiful thing about these Games will be the people, the Italian fans who will watch the races and cheer us on. The best aspect of being a guide athlete is sharing victories with your athlete, even if along the way there are many difficult moments to face together, and you have to work hard to solve problems that can be due to technique or the athlete’s state of mind at that moment.”
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games promise to be a thrilling event, with Italian athletes showcasing their dedication and talent on home soil. The extensive preparations and high spirits among the team set a positive tone for the upcoming competitions.
