Canada Unveils Powerhouse Para Alpine Team for Milano Cortina 2026

OTTAWA, ON – February 23, 2026 – Canada is set to send a formidable mix of decorated veterans and thrilling new talent to the Italian Alps, as the Canadian Paralympic Committee and Alpine Canada officially announced the eight-member Para alpine ski team nominated for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. The team, which will compete from March 6-15, is headlined by multi-medallists Mollie Jepsen, Alexis Guimond, and the returning Kurt Oatway, signaling Canada's intent to continue its historic dominance in the sport.

Para alpine skiing stands as Canada’s most successful sport at the Paralympic Winter Games, with an incredible 115 medals won since the inaugural Games in 1976. This newly nominated roster is poised to add to that legacy, featuring three Paralympic debutants alongside a core of seasoned competitors ready to once again chase the podium.

The Veteran Core's Quest for More Glory

Leading the charge is a trio of athletes who have already experienced the pinnacle of Paralympic success. For Mollie Jepsen of West Vancouver, BC, Milano Cortina will mark her third Games, but with a profoundly different perspective. The six-time Paralympic medallist, who burst onto the scene in PyeongChang 2018 with four medals and added two more in Beijing 2022, has battled immense adversity, including a career-threatening Crohn's disease diagnosis and multiple injuries. Her recent performance, which includes capturing the 2025-26 World Cup Crystal Globe in Super-G, proves she remains a formidable force in the women's standing category.

"The last few years have been some of the most difficult I've ever experienced and I'm so proud of myself, and grateful for everyone who has been supporting me," Jepsen stated. Having achieved her dream of a downhill gold in Beijing, she now aims to savour the experience. "In the past I've been so narrowly focused on winning I forgot to appreciate all it took to even get to the Games and the accomplishment that is in itself."

Joining her with a wealth of experience is co-captain Alexis Guimond. The Gatineau, QC, native has been a model of consistency, winning bronze medals at both the 2018 and 2022 Games in the highly competitive men's standing classification. Guimond enters his third Paralympics in the form of his life, having recently secured his first career Crystal Globe as the overall World Cup champion in Super-G and earning his first-ever World Cup downhill victory in January.

"It's exciting to be going to my third consecutive Paralympics, I'm enamoured by the Paralympic dream," said Guimond. "I'm going into these Games with confidence, focus, experience and grit. I am honoured to represent my country, as well as my fellow teammates as their co-captain."

Perhaps one of the most compelling stories is that of Kurt Oatway. The Calgary, AB, sit-skier, who won Super-G gold in PyeongChang, is making a triumphant return to the Paralympic stage. A devastating injury just weeks before the 2022 Games forced him to watch from home, a painful experience that fueled his determination to come back stronger. Now 41, Oatway has proven his comeback is complete, claiming multiple World Cup victories over the past two seasons, including a downhill gold in France earlier this month.

A New Generation Hits the Slopes

While the veterans provide a steady foundation, the team is energized by a trio of ambitious debutants ready to make their mark. Leading the newcomers are Kalle Eriksson of Kimberley, BC, and his guide Sierra Smith of Ottawa, ON, who have taken the men's visually impaired circuit by storm. The duo enjoyed a breakout 2024-25 season, earning two World Cup wins and finishing third overall in the giant slalom standings, a performance head coach Will Marshall described as skiing at an "unprecedented" level.

For Eriksson, the nomination is the culmination of a lifelong dream forged through intense dedication. "Competing for Canada at my first Paralympics is such an incredible honour, I couldn't be prouder to wear the maple leaf and race for it," Eriksson said. "This journey has taken years of hard work, sacrifice, growth and belief, and now I get to carry all of that onto the world stage for Canada. The stakes are higher at the Games, and everyone will be pushing their limits... I can't wait to be part of it."

Also making her Paralympic debut is Florence Carrier of Sherbrooke, QC, in the women's standing events. Her inclusion, alongside returning 2022 Paralympians Michaela Gosselin (Collingwood, ON) and Brian Rowland (Merrickville, ON), highlights the depth and bright future of Canada's Para alpine program.

Upholding a Storied Legacy

This team is not just competing for individual medals; they are carrying the weight of a remarkable national legacy. The 115 medals in Para alpine skiing are a testament to a program that consistently develops world-class talent. After securing 10 medals in PyeongChang and six in Beijing, the pressure is on to perform in Italy.

Guiding this mission is a robust support system led by High Performance Director Matt Hallat, himself a three-time Paralympian, and Head Coach Will Marshall. Since taking the helm in 2022, Marshall has focused on fostering a united team culture, a strategy that appears to be paying dividends with strong World Cup results across the board.

The competition in Cortina d'Ampezzo will be fierce, with perennial powerhouses from France, Switzerland, and Austria all vying for the top of the podium. However, with a roster that perfectly balances championship DNA with explosive new potential, Canada is well-positioned for a successful campaign.

Mac Marcoux, the team's honorary captain and a celebrated Paralympian, shared his excitement for the group he considers a "second family." "Watching this group build such strong momentum throughout the season has been so exciting, and I cannot wait to cheer them on – loud and proud – from the finish area in Cortina in just a few short weeks," Marcoux commented.

The Para alpine skiing events will kick off with the downhill on March 7 and conclude with the men's slalom on March 15, promising nine days of thrilling, high-stakes racing on the iconic Tofane slopes.