UK Skiers Challenge in Tough Conditions as Team Faces Off!

A key prerequisite of a Winter Paralympics is adequate snow, but a piste packed with salt caused consternation for skiers as British medal favourite Neil Simpson saw his day end early. Simpson had entered his men’s giant slalom VI event firmly among the favourites after winning ParalympicsGB’s first – and so far only – medal at Milano Cortina 2026 in alpine combined. The 23-year-old was second out of the gate at Tofane Ski Centre, and the first Brit in action, but caused medal hopes on day seven to plummet when he skied wide of a gate halfway down the course.

With no second chances in Para-alpine skiing, it meant that by little later than 9am in Cortina D’Ampezzo, GB had already had the day’s dreams significantly dampened. “We just made a slight line error. In the end it was very costly unfortunately,” Simpson reflected.

“There was some good skiing, and we will try and take confidence from that. We will regroup and get ready for the slalom on Sunday. ” Simpson was one of three that did not finish in his event, as the visually impaired category benefitted from taking to the slope when it was in its best condition.

His disappointment then was attributed to a technical error by himself and guide Rob Poth, who were ahead of eventual gold medallist Giacomo Bertagnolli when Simpson missed the gate. There remains hope, then, for the duo in their favoured slalom event on the final day of action at the Winter Paralympics. The pair finished top of the slalom standings when they won silver in the men’s alpine combined and will take to the slope for a final time looking to match Simpson’s Beijing 2022 medal tally.