Ask the Paralympic pioneers: Ina Forrest on wheelchair curling

Get ready for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. The Paralympic Winter Games return to Italy for the first time since 2006, gathering up to 665 athletes across six sports: Para alpine skiing, Para biathlon, Para cross-country skiing, Para ice hockey, Para snowboard and wheelchair curling.

This week, hear directly from legendary Paralympians as they answer your top questions about their sports.

Four-time Paralympic medallist Ina Forrest has been named as co-captain of the Canadian Paralympic team at Milano Cortina 2026. Despite a packed schedule of training and competition, she made time to share everything you need to know about her sport. 

Wheelchair curling 101: Get to know the sport 

1. What is wheelchair curling?

It’s very similar to curling, except everyone must be in a wheelchair. Everyone throws the rock with a stick. Instead of being back of the house using the hacks, we sit up close to the first hog line and deliver the stones from a stationary position.

Once we release the rock, there is no sweeping. So we cross our fingers and hope that we threw it perfectly - just as our skip called it from the other end of the sheet.

2. Without sweeping, how do you practice precision in wheelchair curling?

Wheelchair curling is all about precision because that is the only way to make perfect shots. You practice trying to get what those speeds are, make sure that the line from the stick is accurate, and understand what every shot is so you know what you’re trying to accomplish from what the skip tells you from the other end.

In the mixed team event, there are three athletes who are at the other end, away from the skip, collaborating on our understanding of the ice, the rocks and what the shots are going to do when we release it. We try to get all the information to make the best the best shot.

Wheelchair curling is more complex than people understand because you can’t hear everything that we’re saying to each other.

3. What do you enjoy competing in wheelchair curling?

It is a constant learning experience. It’s a dynamic, evolving sport. You constantly have to keep up with where the other teams are, what they’re doing and how good they’re getting to stay competitive in the sport.

Inside the wheelchair curling playbook

1. What kind of equipment do you use in wheelchair curling?

In our sport, there is not a lot of equipment. Everybody has a stick and a stick head – that's how we propel the rock. Most of us have a support post on our chair that enables us to keep ourselves in the best position or gain more power for throwing the rock. We all usually have a stopwatch, and then of course, warm clothing. That’s everything you need.

2. What is the kind of things that a skip would say during a game?

The skip will be in the house and will look at what the house looks like and call a shot. Then at the other end, the other players are talking about what they think the ice is like on that particular trajectory from the rock to where the stick is, what we think the time is going to be, and how you should throw it. There is a lot of conversation on what you think is going to happen between you and the house.

It is a lot of teamwork, collaborating, everything that everyone has garnered from watching all the shots – our shots and the other team’s shots.  

3. How do wheelchair curlers train?

Everybody must study strategy. In my team, we have training sessions where we learn about the tactics and strategy of the game. We also do weight training to optimise strength and power to make all the shots.

You have to be conscious of what you’re eating so that when you get to on ice, you have the energy that you need. You need to learn about recovery so that in an event, you can be just as good at the start and also at the end.

On the Canadian team, not many of us live in the same community, so we’re usually not practicing with national team members. We come together at least once or twice a month to train together as a national team group.

4. How do you think wheelchair curling has grown since you took up the sport?

We are seeing a lot more countries entering into wheelchair curling. With the addition of mixed doubles, which allows for two-person teams instead of four-person teams, it’s easier for countries to find two wheelchair curlers.

There are more countries that are playing and going to higher-level competition. At these competitions, athletes learn so much from other players.

Paralympic Winter Games at the centre

1. Can you tell us about Vancouver 2010, your first Paralympics?

My first Paralympics was full of unknowns and uncertainties. Being in my home province as well as my home country, I was concerned that I would be nervous and wouldn’t be able to perform.

I didn’t know what to expect, and I remember going into the Opening Ceremony and the cascade of noise that hit us. You could just feel it pounding in your chest, and everybody cheered when we came in. That was our start and that was just so incredible.

I can see why all the big sports teams like playing in front of their hometown fans, because it’s such huge support. That is what we had for the whole event. There were so many people in the arena cheering for us. And then to win the gold medal in front of family and friends was... well, how can you top that?

2. How are the Paralympic Winter Games different from other major competitions?

It’s a huge fanfare, celebration, the ceremonies and being with other athletes. Occasionally, we run into each other somewhere in the four years leading up to the Paralympics, but not very often. It’s very nice to see all the skiers, the hockey players, the Para snowboarders and the Para biathletes, and meet the other athletes who are there performing for the best. At the ceremonies, you get to be with all of them. We all go away, do our sport, and then come back together and share our experiences.

Counting down to Milano Cortina 2026

1. What are you looking forward to at Milano Cortina 2026?

I’m excited to have the full Paralympic experience. Because Beijing 2022 was such a different atmosphere due to Covid-19, it will be nice to have the full effect of having people, including family and friends, in the stands. It’s an important part, to be able to look up at the stands and see family and friends. They are a great support when we are playing.

2. Can you share a message for fellow athletes who are preparing to compete at Milano Cortina 2026?

Enjoy the Paralympics and bring your best game, because that’s what we all want - to have a terrific game.

We want to win, but you want all the competitors to have their best game so that it is competitive. That’s the best way for wheelchair curling to be presented to the world – to have amazing games with top athletes on every team playing to their best. That’s what I hope for everybody.  

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