Three in the Top 10 in Banked Slalom
With adverse weather on the horizon, the Para Snowboard Banked Slalom competition was brought forward a day, giving Great Britain’s largest ever Banked Slalom team the chance to make their mark on the Paralympic course.
Nina Sparks was first out of the gate, making her Paralympic debut and her mark as the first female snowboarder to represent Great Britain at a Paralympic Games.
Sparks put down a solid first run, before building momentum on her second, clocking a best time of 1:12.79 to finish 10th in the combined category lower limb impairment category.
History was also made in the men’s Upper Limb category, where James Barnes Miller dropped into his third Paralympic Games and achieved his best-ever Paralympic Banked Slalom result.
He clocked in an impressive sub-minute run of 59.08 to finish in seventh place, and maintained his trend of consistent improvements in his position at each Games, after finishing in 11th in PyeongChang 2018 and ninth in Beijing 2022.
Matt Hamilton and Davy Zyw made their Paralympic Banked Slalom debuts also in the Upper Limb category, both finishing inside the top 20.
Hamilton delivered a stellar first run of 1:01.81, but the second run was disrupted when racing halted due to a crash by Japan’s Masataka Oiwane at the finish line. Unfazed by the delay, Hamilton walked back up to the to the start line and was able to restart out of sequence, marginally improved his time to 1:01.46 to claim 11th place.
Zyw, meanwhile, had already made history as the first para snowboarder with Motor Neuron Disease to compete at the Winter Paralympic Games. Despite sustaining two broken ribs during Para Snowboard Cross earlier in the week, he successfully completed two full runs to mark an impressive Banked Slalom debut.
Ollie Hill was the last of the Brits to drop, competing in the Lower Limb 2 category, he marked his second Paralympic Games with a solid seventh place finish.
Having sustained a concussion during Para Snowboard Cross training at the start of the Games, simply making it to the start line was a major achievement. Hill went on to clock the fastest British time of the day with 58.23 seconds, securing another top 10 result for the team.
Saving the Best for last in Biathlon
Scott Meenagh returned to action for his final Biathlon event of the Games in the Sitting Sprint Pursuit.
The Scotsman qualified for the final in 15th before giving it everything in the final to secure 14th place and his best result of the Games so far.
His attention now turns to Cross Country, where the 36-year-old will compete in his final event of the Games in the 10km Interval Start on Sunday 15 March.
Tough Conditions in the Giant Slalom
It was a challenging day for the British Para Alpine squad in the men’s Giant Slalom.
Neil Simpson and guide Rob Poth recorded a DNF on his first run after narrowly missing a gate on the upper section of the course despite a strong opening.
Sam Cozens and guide Adam Hall made a promising start to their Paralympic debut, posting a first-run time of 1:14.07. However, as temperatures rose in the afternoon and the snow softened into slush, conditions proved difficult on the second run, resulting in a DNF.
Fred Warburton and guide James Hannan left their mark on the Paralympic stage, finishing 14th in their final event of the Games. Having only started skiing just over a year ago, the result marks an impressive debut for the 31-year-old at his first Paralympic Winter Games.
Dominic Allen rounded out the day for the British team, making his Giant Slalom debut in the standing category as the youngest athlete representing Great Britain at the Winter Paralympic Games.
The 16-year-old delivered a composed first run to break into the top 30 before pushing hard on the second run to secure a 25th-place finish.
Neil Simpson and guide Rob Poth claimed Silver in the Visually Impaired Alpine Combined, delivering the first medal of the Games for ParalympicsGB
The Alpine Combined tests both speed and technical precision, bringing together one run of Super-G with one run of Slalom. Simpson and Poth were sitting in 4th place after the Downhill leg, with a medal in sight. The British pairing rose to the pressure and put down a storming Slalom leg to take the silver medal.
Their performance marks a major moment in the Games, as they open the medal count for Paralympics GB.
Fitzpatrick finishes in ninth while Warburton walks away from major crash
Menna Fitzpatrick and guide Katie Guest finished in ninth place, delivering a determined performance across both runs to secure a top-ten result. After everything that it has taken for Menna to reach these Games, her performanace was a real victory.
Fred Warburton encountered a major crash in the Super-G leg of today’s Alpine Combined. Fortunately, Warburton was uninjured following the incident and will be fit to continue his Paralympic campaign. Both Warburton and his guide James Hannan express their disappointment but are ready to get back into the next race on Thursday.
Neil simpson
“I’m really chuffed with the performance, some good skiing on the second run and we carried out the plan we had. The visually impaired men’s [category] is really strong, there are lots of really quick guys in there so I’m pleased to get on the podium.”
Rob Poth (Guide)
“I’m buzzing. For me it was a little bit of a relief, but our slalom is in a great place.
“Run by run, we are building up the confidence, that has definitely taken it up a notch and we’re getting closer to that top step. We’re on a high and hopefully we can continue on that trajectory.”
fred warburton
“I’m absolutely fine. Airbag went off, protecting everything… one of those things. Very disappointed, if I’m honest, as you’d all expect, we obviously wanted more. We were pushing really hard. I just hit a bump, took the wrong line and yea, couldn’t make the gate. Thanks so much to everyone for the support. Sorry we couldn’t do more today.”
A packed first day of the Games saw all three of GB Snowsport’s para disciplines – Alpine, Biathlon and Snowboard – take to the start line.
Simpson claims best Paralympic Downhill result while Warburton makes debut
Neil Simpson opened his second Paralympic Games in style, finishing fourth in the Vision Impaired Downhill, guided by Andrew Simpson.
The brothers made a confident start to their run with some sharp turns on the opening section. A slight wobble midway down the course threatened to cost time, but a quick recovery saw Simpson clock 1:21.31, finishing less than three seconds outside the podium.
The result improves on his seventh-place finish at the Beijing Games in 2022.
Also in action was Paralympic debutant Fred Warburton, guided by James Hannan, with the pair racing in their first-ever Downhill competition.
Having only begun competing internationally in February 2025, the duo have made rapid progress to reach the Paralympic start gate.
Their time of 1:30.32 may not have challenged the front of the field, but it marked a significant moment for the young Brit who showed immense courage tackling his first Downhill race on the Paralympic stage.
The Alpine squad returns to action in the Super G on Monday 9 March.
Meenagh opens third Paralympic Games campaign
Scott Meenagh battled through a challenging start to his third Paralympic Winter Games in the Sprint Biathlon. After falling on the opening stretch, he managed to quickly recover and get back on track to finish the course.
Unfortunately, six missed targets on the shooting range peoved costly, leaving him unable to recover enough time as he crossed the line 24:54.3 to claim 23rd place.
While not the start he had hoped for at his third Paralympic Games, Meenagh is ready to go again tomorrow, where he is set to compete in the Individual.
Steady Seedings in Para Snowboard Cross
James Barnes-Miller and Davy Zyw both took to the start of the Para Snowboard Cross course, competing in the Upper Limb category.
Barnes-Miller marked his second Paralympic Games, securing a solid fifth place with a best time of 52.17, putting him in a strong position heading into the knockout rounds.
Zyw also began his Paralympic campaign, making history as what is thought to be the first athlete with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) to compete at the Winter Paralympic Games.
He posted a time of 58.58 to secure 18th on a demanding course that had already seen several other riders withdraw due to injury during training.
The pair race again in a knockout format on Sunday 8 March at 10:00 GMT.
Two icons of British skiing selected by ParalympicsGB to carry the flag at Opening Ceremony of Paralympic Winter Games 2026
Menna Fitzpatrick and Scott Meenagh have been named Opening Ceremony flagbearers for the Milano-Cortina Paralympic Winter Games by ParalympicsGB.
The pair, who are both set to compete at their third Paralympic Winter Games this month, were selected after a vote among teammates, confirming their standing as two of the most respected athletes to represent Britain in Paralympic winter sport disciplines.
Speaking ahead of the announcement, Menna said:
“I’m super excited, I still can’t believe I’ve made it to Cortina and so this is an extra cherry on top. My family have supported me throughout this whole journey so I’m doing it for them as well.
“For this to be my third Paralympic Games is kind of surreal really, I feel like I’m the same girl who skied as a hobby – they keep calling me a veteran but I’m not sure I feel like that yet at the age of 27. I just can’t wait to get these Games underway!”
Scott said:
“It’s remarkable. I try really hard every day to represent my sport, myself and my country in the best way I can; I try to do that in my behaviours and express that in my performance, so now to have that little bit of recongition – I’m speechless.
“I’m so ready now, I’ve been thinking about this for so long. I’ve been through a whole rollercoaster of feelings throughout this Paralympic cycle, so to be able to to out there now – I’m so excited to be on the biggest stage and to go out there and represent my sport. Having my family on the sidelines watching is the fairy dust on top, that’s just a dream come true.”
Phil Smith, ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission at Milano-Cortina 2026, added:
“I am absolutely delighted to announce Menna and Scott have been chosen as the ParalympicsGB flagbearers for the Milano-Cortina Paralympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony.
“While for performance reasons they are not able to be in Verona for the parade, because they are both racing the following morning, they will still proudly represent ParalympicsGB with the pre-filmed content shown during the ceremony.
“Their selection – which was voted for by their teammates – underlines just how much both athletes epitomise the ParalympicsGB values that we as a team are so proud of.”
Everyone at GB Snowsport would like to congratulate Menna and Scott, and wishes the whole ParalympicsGB team the best of luck as the Milano-Cortina Paralympic Winter Games get underway.
Final wave of squad selections includes Britain’s most decorated Winter Paralympian alongside host of Games debutants
ParalympicsGB have confirmed the final swathe of GB Snowsport athletes selected to represent Britain at the Milano-Cortina Paralympic Winter Games, which begin next month.
Among a series of historic firsts for the Games, Nina Sparks is named as Britain’s first ever female Paralympic snowboarder, while Davy Zyw is understoof to be the first ever snowsport athlete with Motor Neurone Disease to compete at a Paralympic Winter Games.
Also named in the squad is Britain’s most decorated winter Paralympian, Menna Fitzpatrick, who is named after a period of rehabilitation from injury alongside guide Katie Guest in Para Alpine.
Other debutants selected in the second wave of squad announcements are Para Snowboarder Matt Hamilton, and Para Alpine skiers Dom Allen, Hester Poole, Sam Cozens, and Fred Warburton.
GB Snowsport would like to congratulate all of the athletes selected to represent ParalympicsGB at the Milano-Cortina Games.
Full Squad Selections
Para Alpine
- Menna Fitzpatrick, Katie Guest (guide)
- Sam Cozens, Adam Hall (guide)
- Fred Warburton, James Hannan (guide)
- Dom Allen
- Hester Poole, Ali Hall (guide)
- Neil Simpson, Andrew Simpson (guide), Rob Poth (guide)
Para Snowboard
- James Barnes-Miller
- Matt Hamilton
- Ollie Hill
- Nina Sparks
- Davy Zyw
Para Nordic
- Scott Meenagh
NEIL SIMPSON CLAIMS PARA ALPINE SILVER FOR FIFTH WORLD CUP MEDAL OF THE SEASON
Neil Simpson continued his impressive World Cup campaign with another top performance at the Para Alpine World Cup in Meribel, securing silver in Slalom to claim his fifth World Cup podium of the season. Guided by Rob Poth, the pair produced a strong showing to finish just 0.43 seconds off the top spot, marking Simpson’s first Slalom podium of the season.
The duo continued their week with two consecutive Giant Slalom races, finishing 6th in the first, before recording a DNF2 on day two.
PODIUM PERFORMANCE FROM BARNES-MILLER IN PARA SNOWBOARD CORSS
James Barnes-Miller stepped onto the podium at Big White to claim third place and his first Snowboard Cross medal of the season. The 36-year-old took an impressive third place behind Aron Fahrni of Switzerland and second placed Jacopo Luchini of Italy for his first SBX World Cup medal since February 2025. Ollie Hill finished 15th on day one of competition, but showed clear progression on day two, racing to eighth place after qualifying for the small final.
FINAL ALPINE WORLD CUP BEFORE THE OLYMPIC STAGE
Dave Ryding, Billy Major and Laurie Taylor lined up in Schladming for their final Slalom World Cup ahead of the Milan-Cortina Olympic Games. Ryding secured a place inside the top 30 on his opening run, before recording a DNF on run two. Major and Taylor both battled hard but narrowly missed qualification. Luca Carrick-Smith also saw his race cut short with a first run DNF on the demanding course.
Elsewhere, Owen Vinter took on his first Downhill World Cup in Crans Montana, finishing 57th and gaining valuable experience on the World Cup circuit.
SKI CROSS DOUBLE HEADER FOR DAVIES
Ollie Davies returned to action in with a Ski Cross World Cup double header in Val di Fassa. He finished 37th on day one, just a few spots away from qualifying, before placing 42nd on day two. The back-to-back races provided important mileage in the final phase of preparation ahead of his second Olympic Games.
Para Alpine star continues run of good form as Paralympic Games draw closer
Neil Simpson secured his fifth Para Alpine World Cup podium of the season with a second place finish in the Meribel Slalom World Cup.
Skiing alongside guide Rob Poth, Simpson finished just 0.43s behind winner Giacomo Bertagnolli to secure his first Slalom World Cup podium since February 2023.
The result means Simpson has taken podium finishes in all but one of his World Cup races this season, after a second round DNF in the St Moritz Slalom World Cup in December.
A jam-packed week saw success across multiple disciplines for GB Snowsport athletes
Neil Simpson goes four-from-four in Para Alpine
Neil Simpson delivered a series of standout performances at the Saalbach Para Alpine World Cup, taking four podiums from four races across Downhill and Super-G disciplines. A pair of DH bronze medals, guided by Andrew Simpson and by Rob Poth, and Super-G silver and bronze with Poth and Simpson respectively guiding made it a blue ribbon week for a discipline steeped in British Paralympic heritage.
Bankes’ brilliance to the fore in Snowboard Cross
Charlotte Bankes showed her world class standing in back-to-back World Cups in Dongbeiya, China, taking gold and bronze on consecutive days. A dominant performance in the weekend’s first race saw Bankes top the standings in qualifiers, quarters, semis, and finals, while the second day’s competition saw her grab bronze in a tightly-contested final races.
On the men’s side, Huw Nightingale continued to show his ability to mix it with the best in the world coming 17th in the weekend’s first contest after qualifying in 14th, while in the second of the weekend’s races, Max Vardy progressed to the knockout stages for the first time before finishing in 20th place.
Barnes-Miller bags silver in Kuehtai Para Snowboard World Cup
James Barnes-Miller grabbed a sensational silver medal in the Kuehtai Para Snowboard Banked Slalom World Cup alongside a seventh place finish in a typically competitive Men’s UL field. Barnes-Miller’s podium, his first of the World Cup season, came amid a week of strong Para Snowboard performances across the board, with Ollie Hill also taking a top-five finish, Nina Sparks twice finishing inside the top-ten, and Davy Zyw taking a brace of Europa Cup podiums with a silver and a bronze.
Taylor takes Telemark silver
Jaz Taylor‘s podium successes continued with a silver medal winning performance in the first of back-to-back Carezza World Cup races, and giving her a second podium of the season following her Sprint World Cup win in Pinzolo in December.
And the rest…
The Men’s Slalom team faced down battling conditions in the Lauberhorn slope in Wengen, with Luca Carrick-Smith the pick of the bunch, finishing 34th after the first run in a personal best World Cup showing. Billy Major and Laurie Taylor came in 41st and 42nd on the first run respectively, while Dave Ryding was a first run DNF with a straddle.
The Women’s night Slalom in Flachau saw Vici Palla record a first run DNF.
In Cross-Country, James Clugnet delivered the weekend’s best showing, finishing 32nd in Sprint Free qualifying to narrowly miss out on Finals, while in Moguls Makayla Gerken Schofield finished 26th in the individual women’s event in a race week impacted by poor weather conditions.
Simpson seals second consecutive Downhill World Cup in Saalbach
Neil Simpson continued his impressive start to the season by claiming his second World Cup podium in two days, taking third in the men’s Downhill Para-Alpine (Vision Impaired) event in Saalbach Austria, guided by Rob Poth.
The result marks Simpson’s second career World Cup Downhill Podium on only his fourth elite level Downhill race and Rob Poth’s debut Downhill race as Simpson’s guide. Today’s performance follows Simpson’s third place finish from yesterday’s race, which was achieved alongside long-term guide Andrew Simpson, as the team further develops its preparations for the Milan-Cortina Paralympic Winter Games.
Simpson clocked a time of 56.28 seconds securing the second of his back-to-back podiums in Downhill, finishing just 2.29 second behind Austria’s Johannes Aigner, who took the victory and Italy’s Giacomo Bertagnolli, who finished second.
Taylor takes second World Cup podium of season with Sprint Silver in Carezza World Cup
In the Telemark World Cup in Carezza, Italy, Jaz Taylor took Silver in the women’s Sprint event, claiming her second podium of the season in the process.
Taylor posted a combined time of 2:16.62 seconds across the two runs, finishing just 1.11secs behind the winner, Lea Lathion. With a particularly fast leading first run, putting her firmly in contention for the podium spots, Taylor was able to back the performance up with a composed second run to seal her place on the podium.