ParalympicsGB team for Milano Cortina 2026 complete as final 12 athletes announced

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 (6-15 March).

Nina Sparks makes history as ParalympicsGB first ever female snowboarder, while Davy Zyw is thought to be the first snowsport athlete with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), a degenerative neurological condition, to ever compete at the Games.

Six-time Paralympic medallist Menna Fitzpatrick, 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, 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.”

Edinburgh-born Zyw was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in 2018 and 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 a number of 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.

Zyw 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.

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.

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.

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. Cozens 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.”