Simpson just misses out on podium in Paralympics opener

Neil Simpson delivered his best downhill run on the Cortina slopes as he got his Paralympic campaign underway but just missed out on a podium spot.

The visually impaired Para alpine skier finished fourth in a time of 1:21.31 alongside his brother and guide Andrew Simpson in his opening race in Italy.

But it leaves a strong platform the Banchory duo to build on as it marked their fastest time on a downhill run on the Olympia delle Tofane course.

“It was better than the training runs, my best run on this downhill, was quite pleased with some sections and we tidied up a few things,” he reflected.

“Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for a podium but it was our best performance in the downhill run so I’m pretty pleased.

“I’ll try and take what we’ve learned from today into the Super-G, when some of the sections are quite similar.”

Simpson admitted his form coming into the Paralympics had been patchy, though he bagged his first World Cup podium since 2024 in the downhill in January this year.

And while he missed out on a medal by 2.67 seconds this time, the conditions felt good for him to turn that around in his upcoming events.

“[The course] held up pretty well. There were some bumpy sections, but they have done a really good job of keeping the snow in good condition,” he explained.

“The last downhill training was cancelled to try and keep this as best as they could and I think that was a good decision.”

With downhill not representing one of Simpson’s favoured events, it stands him in good stead for his upcoming races in Cortina.

And his chances will not get much better than when he stands in the gate for Monday’s Super-G, an event he enters as defending Paralympic champion.

The 23-year-old took gold in the event almost four years ago to the day, while he has also earned Paralympic and World Championship medals in the super combined, slalom and giant slalom.

It means his favoured events are still to come out in Italy, where he also benefitted from a luxury he was not afforded at Beijing 2022: crowds.

“You only really notice the crowds at the finish, but it was nice to cross the line and hear them there,” said Simpson.

“It is a big difference from Beijing. It was a really nice experience.”