Milano Cortina 2026: Brazil and El Salvador make history in Para cross country
Day one of Para cross-country is a day of firsts and feats for newcomers Brazil and El Salvador and veteran Oksana Masters 10 Mar 2026
The first day of Para cross-country started with a bang as history was made with the debut of El Salvador, and then again with Cristian Westemaier Ribera gaining the first winter Paralympic medal for Brazil.
El Salvador makes history
David Chavez and Jonathan Arias took to the slopes as the first ever Winter Paralympians for their country. The duo had to train on the sandy beaches at home in the tropical nation where there is hardly any snow. While they didn’t qualify for the semifinals, the moment and their ranking were a cause for celebration.
Coach Rob Powers said: “We started this only two years ago, last and second to last in the world ranking. So, to see David crush a 27th ranking – we're doing a back flip right now. We wish we had our surf boards as it would be surf city right now.
“In all my years coaching an Olympic team for the US, it took more than five years with talented athletes that came up through junior programmes to crack the top 30. It’s just an unbelievable achievement for David. And for Johnny (Jonathan Arias) coming from three months off an injury and being able to race on this tough fast course, we just could not be happier.”
Reflecting on what the team had achieved in such a short time made Powers emotional.
“It’s beyond words... you’re going to make me cry. 63-year-old former special forces, US Olympic team for four cycles ... this is the moment. Overjoyed.”
For Jonathan Arias, the moment understandably carried significant personal nerves.
“My nerves betrayed me a bit, because the curves were a little slippery, honestly,” he said.
“I did not fall, good thing I did not fall. I did have a bit of trouble getting aligned in the curves” but everything was fine, all good.”
Brazil’s first winter Paralympic medal
Brazil’s Cristian Westemaier Ribera came to Tereso Cross-Country Skiing Stadium with a clear goal: to win his country’s first winter Paralympic medal ever.
That’s why when he crossed the finish line, he could hardly contain himself.
“I was crying because I realised my dream came true. My dream and my family’s.”
It was a sprint to the finish between Ribera and China’s Liu Zixu with Liu coming just ahead. The final results put Ribera just 0.7 of a second behind the multi-medallist.
“I was using a lot of strength to make it to the finish line fast. The support here helped a lot. My parents are here supporting me, and they could see me winning my first medal,” he said.
Ribera’s journey to the podium has been nothing short of exceptional. He was introduced to Para Nordic skiing in 2015 as part of a Brazilian Snow Sports Federation (CBDN) project, with the support of the International Paralympic Committee’s development arm. He went on to compete at his first Games at Pyeongchang 2018 when he was only 15.
“I kept training and getting better. I was the youngest athlete there in 2018, and now here I am winning the silver medal at the Paralympics.”
Masters’ continued medal haul
USA’s Oksana Masters continued her incredible Paralympic medal haul winning her 11th gold medal in the women’s sprint sitting event.
Masters, who is the USA’s most decorated winter Paralympian, celebrated her 21st Paralympic medal as she crossed the finish line to cheers from the roaring crowd of USA fans.
“This was a surprise, honestly. I counted myself out, because I'm a climber. I like gritty, hard courses, and this was very flat, very fast, and so I was really nervous about this one,” she said.
In her last race on this track, in Para biathlon women’s individual sitting, she came fourth, narrowly missing out on the podium. The frustration over that last performance made this win feel all the sweeter.
“To me it feels like so much redemption to have from the last individual biathlon where my skiing wasn't there. I had some challenges, but I never gave up,” Masters told the IPC.
First for Norway’s Vilde Nilsen
It was another first for Norway’s Vilde Nilsen in the women’s Para cross-country sprint standing, gaining the first Paralympic gold of her career. After taking home one bronze and two silver medals from the Beijing 2022 and Pyeongchang 2018 Paralympic Games, Milano Cortina took her to the top of the podium.
The 25-year-old felt the emotions of the moment, saying: “I can't understand yet what I've achieved here today.”
Fulfilling a lifetime goal with today’s gold, she hopes to continue this streak in tomorrow’s competition.
“I had a goal when I was 14 years old to become the best Paralympic athlete and win a gold medal...and then now I finally did it.”
Where to watch and listen to the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games
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