Natalie Wilkie Shines at Milano-Cortina Paralympics, Canada Secures Multiple Medals

Canada is making its mark at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, led by the exceptional performance of Para Nordic skier Natalie Wilkie. Wilkie has already secured two gold medals and a total of four medals, showcasing her dominance in biathlon and cross-country skiing.

Wilkie’s Golden Performances

Natalie Wilkie, representing Salmon Arm, B.C., first topped the podium in the women’s standing 12.5-kilometre biathlon on March 8th, earning Canada’s first gold medal of the Games . She followed this success with a second gold in the women’s biathlon sprint pursuit, finishing more than 17 seconds ahead of the competition. This brings her medal count to four at these Games and eleven throughout her Paralympic career, which began in 2018.

Other Canadian Highlights

While Wilkie has been a standout performer, other Canadian athletes have too come close to the podium. Fourteen-time Paralympic medallist Mark Arendz finished fourth in the men’s standing biathlon sprint pursuit, just 4.5 seconds behind the bronze medallist. Alpine skier Kalle Eriksson and his guide Sierra Smith also placed fourth in the men’s vision-impaired giant slalom, narrowly missing a medal by a mere 0.12 seconds, after a similarly close finish in the combined event earlier in the week.

Medal Standings and Team Successes

As of Day 7, Canada stands 10th in the medal standings with two gold, three silver, and six bronze medals. The Canadian wheelchair curling team has also advanced to the gold medal game after a thrilling 8-7 victory over South Korea in the semifinals. They will face China for the championship on Saturday.

The Para hockey team will compete for gold against the United States on Sunday, having defeated China 4-2 in their semifinal match.

Looking Ahead: Weekend Schedule

The final weekend of competition promises exciting finishes. Wilkie is expected to compete in the mixed 4×2.5-kilometre relay on Saturday and the women’s standing 20km interval start on Sunday, potentially adding to her medal haul. Brittany Hudak is also a strong contender in the women’s standing 20km.

In alpine skiing, Michaela Gosselin will compete in the women’s slalom, while Eriksson and Smith will aim for their third medal in the men’s vision-impaired slalom.

The Games will conclude with the closing ceremony on Sunday in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

How to Follow the Action

Fans can catch all the action live and on demand through CBC Gem, with daily broadcasts on the CBC TV network. A full streaming and broadcast schedule is available on the CBC Paralympics website.