Milano Cortina 2026: Para snowboarder Emanuel Perathoner clinches Italy’s first gold

Home games hero Emanuel Perathoner cruised to victory in Para snowboard cross on 8 March, to win host nation Italy’s first gold medal of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

In sunny and mild conditions at the Cortina Para Snowboard Park, the two-time Olympian stormed home in the men’s snowboard cross SB-LL2 big final ahead of Australia’s Ben Tudhope and Republic of Korea’s Jehyuk Lee.

“It’s amazing, it’s beautiful,” Perathoner said after winning his first Paralympic medal.

“I'm super happy to bring home the gold medal in my home country. It's so close to my hometown, so (doing it) in front of my family, that was the best part.

“I was hearing all the crowd cheering for us riders... I think that was the most emotional moment."

He said the conditions suited his race style. 

“Today the slope was perfect and it was the perfect slope for my skills,” Perathoner said. 

As he crossed the finish line, he was filled with relief. 

“All the work that I was putting in, and all the travelling, all the time away from home, it was totally worth it," he said.

Dream comes true

Heading into his Paralympic debut, Perathoner was considered a hot favourite to clinch dual gold in both snowboard cross and banked slalom.  He is feeling confident about his next race on 14 March.

Perathoner sustained a major injury while training for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and required a knee replacement. His sports journey then pivoted to the Paralympics. However, snowboard cross had been his pet event even before his accident.

Tudhope, who won bronze at Beijing 2022, was overcome with emotions after securing his second place.

“I stuck to my guns and stuck to my game plan. To actually get this medal is ace,” he said.

His shoulder popped out coming out of the gates in the first heat, but thankfully the medical team was able to tape it and he wasn’t in too much pain.

He reflected that he is normally very relaxed and calm, but the injury made him feel cautious and “not smiley Ben”.

“To get this medal is absolutely insane,” he said. “I was in focus mode the whole time.” 

Tudhope said he was wearing his lucky Yoda socks. 

He said there would be big celebrations with his big entourage of family and friends. 

“I don’t know if I’ll be on the beers,” he joked.

Celebrating victories 

There was a major upset in the men’s snowboard cross LL1 big final. 

Defending champion Tyler Turner was involved in a crash with Japanese rider Junta Kosuda and had to ultimately settle for a bronze medal. 

“It was a crazy race. That's why we love snowboard cross, isn't it? It's exciting. It's crazy. There are crashes. It's fast. Unfortunately, sometimes you're not on the winning end of that, but that's what happens. That's why we show up, and I'll be back,” Turner said. 

China’s Zhongwei Wu powered home to win gold and Noah Elliott claimed a silver medal, putting behind his disappointment from Beijing 2022. Elliot, who won gold in banked slalom and a bronze in snowboard cross at PyeongChang 2018 was grappling with a major injury four years ago. 

“It was really hard for me going into Beijing, because I had my residual leg just at its absolute worst. My femur bone was sticking out of my skin,” he said. 

“Coming off that, getting surgery - they had to amputate an inch and a half more of my leg. Coming back from an amputation again and learning to walk again, learning to snowboard, I wasn't sure how it was going to affect my riding.” 

“I couldn't be more proud coming here.” 

In the women’s snowboard cross, France’s Cecile Hernandez, 51, successfully defended her title in the SB-LL1 event, against riders more than half her age. 

Hernandez dedicated the victory to her daughter Victoire-Eleonore. 

"I'm very, very, very proud. My daughter is here... I did it, and this medal is for her," she said. 

Rising star from Team USA, Kate Delson, took silver in her Paralympic debut and China’s Xinyu Wang rounded out the podium. 

“You only get to drop your first Paralympics big final once in your life - if you get any. So I was really in the moment, and that paid off,” Delson said. 

“I remember the run very well because I was present the whole time. 

In the men's snowboard cross SB-UL, China’s Lijia Ji successfully defended his title from Beijing 2022. Fellow countryman Yonggang Zhu claimed silver and Swiss rider Aron Fahrni finished third.

"I feel pretty happy with this medal. I really enjoy it," Ji said.

Where to watch and listen to the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games

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