Canada Strikes Gold Early at Milan Cortina Paralympics with Three Medals
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy – Canada is off to a blazing start at the Milan Cortina Paralympic Games, securing three medals on Saturday, including a silver for Kalle Eriksson and guide Sierra Smith in the men’s visually impaired downhill. Eriksson, of Kimberley, B.C., and Smith, of Ottawa, finished with a time of one minute 18.33 seconds. Calgary’s Kurt Oatway added to the medal count with a bronze in the men’s downhill sitting ski event, and Natalie Wilkie of Salmon Arm, B.C., claimed silver in the women’s standing sprint biathlon.
Eriksson and Smith expressed their excitement following their performance, with Eriksson stating, “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.” Smith added, “It definitely wasn’t perfect but we hit the points we wanted to, and we skied very strong.”
Wilkie, competing in her third Paralympics, earned her eighth career medal with the silver in biathlon, a discipline she noted is a particular challenge for her. Canada also saw success in team events, with the mixed wheelchair curling team narrowly defeating Italy 9-8 and the sledge hockey team dominating Slovakia with an 8-0 victory.
Canada Shines on Day One of the Milano Cortina Paralympics with Multiple Medals
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – Canada made a resounding statement on the opening day of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, securing three medals in Para alpine skiing and Para biathlon, alongside dominant performances in team events.
Eriksson and Smith Capture Silver in Downhill Debut
Kalle Eriksson and his guide Sierra Smith delivered a spectacular performance, earning silver in the men’s visually impaired downhill event. The pair completed the course in one minute 18.33 seconds, finishing just behind Austria’s Johannes Aigner (1:16.08). This marked a particularly special occasion as it was Eriksson’s Paralympic debut.
“Both me and Sierra are on top of the world right now and still pumping,” Eriksson exclaimed. “I can’t believe our run and I’m so proud of how we did it.”
Smith added, “It definitely wasn’t perfect but we hit the points we wanted to, and we skied incredibly strong. We had a good run obviously always room to improve. I’m super happy with our performance today.”
Did you know? Kalle Eriksson lost most of his vision due to a rare case of solar retinopathy while skiing in Sweden, leaving him with only six per cent of peripheral vision.
Oatway Secures Bronze in Downhill Sitting Ski
Calgary’s Kurt Oatway added to Canada’s medal count with a bronze in the men’s downhill sitting ski event. He finished with a time of 1:19.42, narrowly missing silver, which went to Niels de Langen of the Netherlands (1:19.24). Norway’s Jesper Pederson claimed gold in 1:18.14.
Oatway’s return to the Paralympic stage is a testament to his resilience, having overcome a severe injury sustained prior to the 2022 Beijing Games, including a broken collarbone, torn ligaments, broken ribs, and a punctured lung.
Wilkie Adds to Her Paralympic Legacy with Biathlon Silver
Natalie Wilkie continued her Paralympic success, securing her eighth career medal – and her first in biathlon – with a silver in the women’s standing sprint. Her time of 18:46.4 over the 7.5-kilometre course was impressive, as she completed the race without any shooting penalties. Ukraine’s Oleksandra Kononova took gold in 18:41.5.
“It doesn’t feel real,” Wilkie shared. “This was a large goal of mine heading into the Games, to win a medal in biathlon, and to do it on the first day is so special.”
Team Canada Dominates in Curling and Hockey
Canada’s strong start wasn’t limited to individual events. The mixed wheelchair curling team narrowly defeated Italy 9-8 in a thrilling round-robin opener, while the Canadian sledge hockey team delivered a dominant 8-0 victory over Slovakia.
Pro Tip: Success in Paralympic sports often hinges on the synergy between athletes and their guides or support teams. The partnership between Eriksson and Smith exemplifies this crucial dynamic.
Looking Ahead: Canada’s Pursuit of Gold
Canada’s impressive performance on day one sets the stage for a potentially successful Games. The team is aiming to build on this momentum and secure its first gold medal in winter sports in a significant period.
FAQ: Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympics – Day One
- Who won Canada’s first medal at the Paralympics? Kalle Eriksson and Sierra Smith won silver in the men’s visually impaired downhill.
- How many medals did Canada win on the first day? Canada won three medals: two silver and one bronze.
- What other sports did Canada compete in on day one? Canada as well competed in wheelchair curling and sledge hockey, achieving victories in both.
Stay tuned for continued coverage of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games as Canada continues its pursuit of Paralympic glory.
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