Fitzpatrick feeling free of pressure ahead of third Paralympics

A major knee injury less than three months out from the Paralympics put Menna Fitzpatrick’s dreams of a third Games at risk - but she refused to take no for an answer.

The most decorated British Winter Paralympian picked up the knock in training for the Steinbach World Cup in early December, ruling her out of competition for the whole of January.

But the visually impaired para alpine skier from Macclesfield, who boasts six Paralympic medals, was selected in the second wave and can race with the pressure off when she hits the slopes at Milano Cortina 2026.

“I always knew deep down that I would be capable of coming back for the Games after I got home,” said the 27-year-old.

“I didn’t realise it was all over quite yet. It’s been a bit up and down and there are some days where it’s like, is it realistic to make it back?

“Then I’ll go into the gym and do really well and I’m like, I can do it.

“It means that there’s no pressure on us to do any sort of performance. For us, just going there and pushing out the start gate will be a success for me.”

Fitzpatrick, who has congenital retinal folds, will compete with her guide Katie Guest, who skis just ahead of her and communicates potential changes in terrain over a Bluetooth headset.

Having won ParalympicsGB’s second-ever Winter Paralympics gold medal in the slalom, as well as two silvers and a bronze alongside guide Jennifer Kehoe in 2018, Fitzpatrick partnered with Guest in 2021.

But after her guide tested positive for Covid-19 days before Beijing 2022, the Cheshire-born skier had to adjust again to take two medals with Gary Smith, making this year the first opportunity to compete alongside Guest at the Paralympics.

“We’ve been working together for the last five years with the goal to go to a Paralympics together,” said Fitzpatrick.

“To finally have that opportunity to go and show what we can do, what we’ve been working for and spending so much time together for over the last five years, is really special.”

The pair won World Championship slalom gold in their first season together at Lillehammer 2021, and have since won three additional world medals as a pair.

It will be the first time Fitzpatrick enters a Games with the title of Britain’s most decorated Winter Paralympian, a title that can rest heavy on her shoulders.

But it will be business as usual for the skier who has become well-acquainted with the Paralympic experience as she bids to leave her injury woes behind her to add to an already extensive list of accolades.

“Heading out there with that title is terrifying, to be honest,” Fitzpatrick laughed.

“I’m really proud of the results I’ve got over the years. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be in this position.

“I try to take each Games as it comes and especially with this lead-up, it’s not been ideal.

“I’ll stick to the process. We know what works well for us. We’ll go out there and do our best and see what the outcome is.”