Wheelchair curling legend Ina Forrest sets sights on Milano Cortina 2026

After each Paralympic Winter Games, Canadian wheelchair curler Ina Forrest asks herself the same question: “Am I prepared to go on for four more years?”

She has asked it more than once. After her debut at Vancouver 2010, she thought, “I’m going to make it to one more.” Four years later, she told herself, “It’s only four years to one more Games.”

And after each subsequent Games, the question returned: “Should I quit this year?” But the answer always came quickly: “Well, what else am I going to do?”

Forrest has competed at four Paralympic Winter Games, finishing on the podium every time. She was a driving force behind Canada’s gold medal wins at Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014, and helped secure bronze medals at PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022.

Now, 15 years after her Paralympic debut, and more than 20 years since she first threw a curling stone, Forrest is hoping to represent Canada  again at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

“After every Paralympics, you reassess where you are. Are you prepared to go on for another four years? And so far, it’s been a yes,” the 64-year-old athlete said.

“I just love being an athlete. I love going to the Paralympics, being part of the big Canadian team, not just the curling team, but all the other athletes, and performing on the biggest stage there is for Paralympic sport.”

Canada has secured a slot in the mixed team event at Milano Cortina 2026, which will take place from 6–15 March 2026. The Games will return to Italy for the first time since Torino 2006, where wheelchair curling made its Paralympic debut.

For the first time, wheelchair curling mixed doubles will also be featured at the Games.

Four Games, four medals

Forrest, who has used a wheelchair since her 20s, was introduced to wheelchair curling in 2004 when a local Para athlete approached her while she was shopping and encouraged her to give it a try. Initially, she thought it might be a way to pass a few afternoons while her three children were at school.

But the sport quickly became much more. After not making the team for Torino 2006, she created a five-year plan to become a Paralympian.

Her breakthrough came at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, where she played in front of a home crowd. Canada entered the Games as defending champions.

“The first Paralympics was all the unknowns and all the uncertainties. Being in my home province as well as my home country, I was concerned I’d be too nervous and wouldn't be able to perform,” Forrest recalled.

“But I remember going into the Opening Ceremony and feeling the cascade of noise hit us. It pounded in your chest, everybody cheering as we came in. It was so incredible.”

Canada defended their gold medal, defeating Korea in the final.

“I can see why big sports teams like playing in front of their hometown fans. It’s such huge support. That’s what we had the whole event - so many people in the arenas and cheering fans.”

“To win the gold medal in front of family and friends, well, how can you top that?”

Learning and evolving

Forrest has competed in three more Games since Vancouver, finishing on the podium each time. What keeps her going?

She says the beauty of wheelchair curling lies in the need to constantly evolve.

“It never seems like you can figure it all out. Just when you think you have, maybe we add a new piece of equipment and change things up, or you play on a different ice surface, or play with rocks that react differently,” she said.

“Wheelchair curling is a dynamic and evolving sport. You constantly have to keep up with where other teams are, what they’re doing, and how good they’re getting to stay competitive.”

One of her key learnings this year came at the World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Curling Championship in Stevenston, Scotland. The World Championship was part of the qualification process for the inaugural Paralympic mixed doubles competition.

Teaming up with three-time Paralympian Mark Ideson, Forrest aimed to help Canada earn a slot for Milano Cortina 2026. The duo started strong but were upset by Japan in the quarterfinals.

Japan’s pair of Aki Ogawa and Yoji Nakajima went on to win the tournament, defeating Scotland 11–2 in the final. Estonia claimed bronze, while Canada finished sixth.

Although Canada did not secure a mixed doubles slot, Forrest is excited to see the event’s inclusion and its potential to grow the sport.

“We are seeing a lot more countries that are entering into wheelchair curling,” she said.

“With mixed doubles, it’s a lot easier for countries to find two curlers. More countries are playing and being able to go to higher level competitions. And once they go there, (athletes) learn so much from all the other players and by watching competitors around them."

A first time

With six months to go until Milano Cortina 2026, Forrest is back in training with the Canadian team.

She has a packed schedule ahead: competitions in Switzerland and Scotland in October, followed by the Czech Republic in November, and events in Canada in January and training camps for the Games.

“Six months sounds like a lot of time, but you know it's going to go by really quickly,” she said.

“We are just starting our season, and you want everything to go well. But you also know you need to get the practice in because you’re not 100 per cent your best playing self just yet.”

Forrest hopes to compete on Italian ice for the first time in her 20-year career. She has only visited Italy twice, most recently for a birthday trip with friends when she turned 50.

“I’m really looking forward (to Milano Cortina 2026) because we’ve never curled in Italy before. I’ve played against Italy from the very start of my experience in curling, but never in Italy.”

“This will be a first and a very exciting time.”

Secure your tickets for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games  

Milano Cortina 2026, which takes place from 6-15 March 2026, is set to be the most beautiful Paralympic Winter Games yet. Ticket prices start at EUR 10 for children under 14, with approximately 89 per cent of the tickets available for EUR 35 or less.

For more information, please visit tickets.milanocortina2026.org