Milano Cortina 2026: Top moments from Day 2
Para snowboarder Emanuel Perathoner clinches Italy’s first gold Victory and history books for teenage sensation Yunji Kim in Para biathlon Canada's wheelchair curling team seals dramatic win over Great Britain 08 Mar 2026
We're bringing you the cannot-miss sport updates and behind the scenes magic moments from the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. Here are our top moments from Day 2 (8 March).
Para snowboard: Italy's first gold medal
Italian rider Emanuel Perathoner, a favourite to claim dual titles at Milano Cortina 2026, did not disappoint local fans on Sunday March 8, powering home in the snowboard cross to win the host nation’s first gold medal.
Perathoner represented Italy twice before at the Olympics. He has had to reinvent himself as a Paralympian following a major injury and a knee replacement. With many Italian fans on hand, he 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 so close to my hometown, so (doing it) in front of my family, that was the best part,” Perathoner said.
Para biathlon: Yunji Kim makes history
The Republic of Korea's Yunji Kim chose International Women’s Day to claim a gold medal in women's sitting 12.5km Para biathlon race.
The feat is extra special because her name will be added to the history books as the first female athlete from Korea to win an individual medal at a Winter Paralympics.
The 19-year-old athlete, competing at her first Paralympics, upset more experienced opponents - Germany’s Anja Wicker who settled for silver and Team USA’s Kendall Gretsch who took bronze.
"I can’t believe that I got the gold medal...I feel like I am dreaming right now," Kim said. "I’m just happy to be competing with all the many top-level worldwide stars."
Para biathlon: Gold make-up leads to gold medal
Canadian Natalie Wilkie manifested a gold medal performance by applying gold glitter to her cheekbones before her race on Sunday 8 March.
She sealed victory in the women’s 12.5km individual standing race – clinching Canada’s first gold of the Games and her first Paralympic victory in Para biathlon.
“Now that I know gold gets gold, I might have to keep wearing it for the rest of the week,” Wilkie, who competes in several more events, said.
A day earlier, she’d worn silver glitter make-up and ended up with silver bling around her neck in the Para biathlon sprint.
Seventeen-year-old Czechia Para biathlete Simona Bubenickova won a silver medal in the 12.5km individual visually impaired category. China’s Yue Wang netted gold and Germany’s Johanna Recktenwald rounded out the podium.
Wheelchair curling: Canada seals dramatic win over Great Britain
Canada’s wheelchair curling mixed team won a come-from-behind nail biter 5-4 over Great Britain in a round robin match at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium on Sunday 8 March.
It all came down to the last end where Canada scored three to eke out the victory much to the delight of a strong contingent of Canadian fans.
"They came out swinging today, had a really good start against us and kept the pressure on us the whole game, right down to the eighth (and final) end,” Canadian wheelchair curler Mark Ideson said.
Canada’s wheelchair curling mixed team has won a medal at every Paralympics since the sport was added to the Winter Games in 2006.
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
