Italy Shatters Paralympic Medal Record at Milan Cortina 2026

The Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics have witnessed a historic performance from the Italian team, who have surpassed their previous best medal haul set at the 1994 Lillehammer Games. Fueled by victories in alpine skiing and snowboarding, Italy now boasts 14 total podium finishes, including six gold medals.

Italian Athletes Dominate on Friday, March 13th

Friday, March 13th, proved to be a particularly successful day for Italy, with athletes securing three gold medals and one silver. René De Silvestro led the charge, winning gold in the Men’s Sitting Giant Slalom with a total time of 2’10’44. He was followed by Jacopo Luchini and Emanuel Perathoner, who also claimed gold medals in snowboarding events. Giacomo Bertagnolli added to the tally with a silver medal in the Vision Impaired giant slalom.

De Silvestro’s Triumph in Cortina

René De Silvestro’s victory was particularly poignant, taking place in his hometown of Cortina d’Ampezzo. The Olympia delle Tofane slope saw a jubilant atmosphere as De Silvestro secured his first Paralympic gold medal, finishing 0.57 seconds ahead of Dutch silver medalist Niels De Langen and 4.15 seconds ahead of Norwegian bronze medalist Jasper Pedersen. Olympics.com reports that De Silvestro was cheered on by family, friends, and Italian skiing legends Deborah Compagnoni and Alberto Tomba.

Record-Breaking Performance

This achievement marks a fresh all-time record for Italy at the Winter Paralympic Games, exceeding the previous record of 13 medals set in Lillehammer in 1994. ANSA confirms that the Italian team has now secured 14 podium finishes.

Looking Ahead

With the final two days of competition remaining, the Italian team aims to continue their impressive run and add to their already historic medal count. The success has sparked discussions about equal treatment and prize money for Olympic and Paralympic athletes, with Minister for Disabilities Alessandra Locatelli advocating for parity. ANSA reports that Locatelli believes athletes should receive the same recognition and rewards regardless of whether they compete in the Olympics or Paralympics.