The 2026 Winter Paralympics have officially concluded in Milan Cortina, marking the 50th anniversary of the Paralympic Winter Games with a celebration of resilience, record-breaking athleticism, and international unity. For the Western New York community—a region with a deep-seated passion for winter sports and inclusive athletics—the games provided a masterclass in competitive spirit.
This year’s games were historic in their reach, notably seeing an 18% increase in female participation compared to the previous record set at Beijing 2022, according to official Paralympics data. While the People’s Republic of China led the overall count with 44 medals, Team USA delivered a powerhouse performance, securing 24 medals and finishing second in the global standings.
Team USA Medal Count
The United States’ 24-medal haul was characterized by a high ratio of gold, highlighting the country’s dominance in elite-level para-sports. Below is the final tally for Team USA:
| Medal Type | Count |
|---|---|
| Gold | 13 |
| Silver | 5 |
| Bronze | 6 |
| Total | 24 |
Alpine Skiing and Biathlon Highlights
American athletes displayed exceptional technical skill on the slopes and at the range. In Para Alpine Skiing, Patrick Halgren earned a silver medal in the Men’s Super-G Standing, while Andrew Kurka claimed bronze in the Men’s Super-G Sitting.
In Para Biathlon, the legendary Kendall Gretsch continued to cement her legacy. Gretsch secured a gold medal in the Women’s Sprint Pursuit Sitting, a silver in the Women’s Sprint Sitting, and a bronze in the Women’s Individual Sitting. Not to be outdone, Oksana Masters took gold in the Women’s Sprint Sitting event, further establishing her status as one of the world’s premier multisport athletes.
Dominance in Para Cross-Country Skiing
Team USA’s most significant depth was on display in Para Cross-Country Skiing, where the American flag was a permanent fixture on the podium. Key performances included:
- Jake Adicoff: Supported by guides Peter Wolter and Reid Goble, Adicoff won three gold medals across the Sprint Classic and Interval Start events for the Visually Impaired.
- Oksana Masters: Added two more golds (Sprint Sitting, 10km Interval Start) and a bronze (20km Interval Start) to her impressive career total.
- Sydney Peterson: Secured two gold medals (10km and 20km Standing events) and a silver in the Sprint Classic Standing.
- Team Success: The Mixed 4×2.5km Relay team—comprising Joshua Sweeney, Oksana Masters, Sydney Peterson, and Jake Adicoff—clinched the gold for the United States.
Snowboard Success and Ice Hockey Gold
The final days of competition saw Team USA excel in Para Snowboard and Para Ice Hockey. In snowboarding, Kate Delson (Gold, Banked Slalom SB-LL2; Silver, Snowboard Cross) and Noah Elliott (Gold, Banked Slalom SB-LL1; Silver, Snowboard Cross) led the charge. They were joined on the podium by Brenna Huckaby and Mike Schultz, who both secured bronze medals in their respective Banked Slalom events.
The games concluded with a thrilling victory in Para Ice Hockey, where Team USA’s disciplined play earned them the gold medal, a fitting end to a historic campaign in Italy.
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