Great Britain’s most decorated winter Paralympian is among the final 12 athletes to be selected to represent ParalympicsGB at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, which takes place in Italy next month (6th to 15th March).
The 12 Paralympic athletes announced this week join six other snowsport team members and the wheelchair curling squad, who were confirmed in December last year, completing a team of 25 who will represent ParalympicsGB.
Most decorated Winter Paralympian Menna Fitzpatrick targets Milano Cortina 2026 after injury comeback
Six-time Paralympic medallist Menna Fitzpatrick (pictured above), who made her Games debut in PyeongChang eight years ago, will line up alongside guide Katie Guest in the Para Alpine events in Cortina d’Ampezzo following a period of rehabilitation from injury.
The 27-year-old visually impaired skier said: “I’m so grateful to be heading back to race in my third Paralympic Games after what has been a couple of challenging rehab journeys in the last two years. Milano Cortina, I’m coming with renewed focus, resilience, and excitement for what’s ahead and with the aim of enjoying the whole experience.”
Nina Sparks makes history as ParalympicsGB’s first-ever female snowboarder
Nina Sparks, who heads to Milano Cortina fresh off the back of winning Banked Slalom bronze at the Steamboat World Cup earlier this month, said:
“I couldn’t be prouder to be selected for the team. It definitely hasn’t sunk in yet! I’m from Buckinghamshire, the birthplace of the Paralympics, so when I was diagnosed with MS (multiple sclerosis), I knew it was possible to be classified, and that really helped me to make positives out of the diagnosis.
“I’ve been working hard over the last few years to be the best snowboarder I can be, and for it to get me to this point where I’m going to make history for Great Britain as the first female Para snowboarder is pretty cool.”
Davy Zyw becomes the first snowsport athlete with Motor Neurone Disease
Edinburgh-born Davy Zyw was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in 2018. He is thought to be the first snowsport athlete with the debilitating neurological condition.
Since then has been determined to raise awareness and funding for research into the condition, taking part in numerous challenges, activities and campaigns alongside his job in the wine trade – he is an expert champagne buyer and author.
The 38-year-old has secured several Europa Cup podium finishes already this season, including two silvers in Big White, Canada, in February – taking home overall bronze in the season-long rankings.
Davy said: “I’m stoked beyond measure. Every time I strap into my snowboard, I count my stars. Getting selected isn’t just a personal achievement. I represent and ride for every soul who fights neuro conditions.
“The journey to get to the Games has been immense, but nothing is impossible. Yes, the competition is insane, inspiring and fierce, but my real battle is with MND, and we are racing to find a cure.”
Fellow snowboarder Matt Hamilton will also make his Paralympic debut, having been inspired to participate in sport after watching London 2012 and initially competing in junior international athletics. Originally from Chelmsford, Matt was living in Canada when he first came to the attention of the GB Para Snowboard Team in 2022 and has progressed through the Europa Cup and World Cup levels since then.
Teenage talent and rising stars ready for Paralympic debuts in Milano Cortina 2026
Three teenagers will also line up in Italy at their first-ever Paralympic Games. 16-year-old Dom Allen, who joined the GB Para Alpine Development Squad in 2023, will compete in the Slalom and Giant Slalom events in the standing Para Alpine class, while Hester Poole and Sam Cozens compete in the visually impaired events.
Hester Poole, 18, first took to the dry slope in Medip aged six – and quickly progressed, competing internationally for the first time at just 12-years-old, guided by her brother. She now pairs with guide Ali Hall at the Games.
Sam Cozens, 19, also began skiing as a four-year-old on his local dry slope. Spotted by the GB Snowsport Para development team in his teens, he competed in the European circuit in 2025/2026, securing several podiums during the season. He will be guided by Adam Hall, brother to fellow guide Ali.
Visually impaired Para Alpine skier Fred Warburton and his guide James Hannan complete the final round of selections. A former decathlete, the 31-year-old – who lives and trains in Italy – has progressed quickly on the international circuit since his first major race just over a year ago, earning multiple podium finishes at FIS and National Championships level.
Phil Smith, Chef de Mission for ParalympicsGB at Milano Cortina 2026, said: “I am absolutely thrilled to welcome the final athletes to the ParalympicsGB team for these Games, completing our fantastic team of 25 talented athletes. Every one of them has worked incredibly hard to get here, and I can’t wait to see them competing in Italy when the action starts.”
Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games will take place from 6th to 15th March 2026. You can watch all the action across Channel 4 and follow on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.