TEAM USA CLAIMS TWO SILVERS IN PARALYMPIC SNOWBOARD CROSS

Team USA opened the snowboard cross medal competition at the Milano Cortina Paralympic Winter Games with two silver medals as Kate Delson and Noah Elliott reached the podium at Cortina Para Snowboard Park.

The results extended a consistent U.S. presence in the discipline, with American riders winning snowboard cross medals at every Paralympic Winter Games since the event debuted in 2014.

Keith Gabel of Team USA navigates the snowboard cross course during the men’s SB-LL2 competition at the 2026 Paralympic Games. (PHOTO CREDIT: Danny Chin)

As racing unfolded under sunny skies in the Dolomites, the course softened as temperatures rose through the afternoon. Crews paused to reshape sections of the track as the surface turned to spring-like snow, making it harder for riders to hold their line through the rollers and banked turns. Guide lines painted across the course to help riders read the terrain began to look like a blue slushie as the snow softened.

Elliott said the conditions created challenges throughout the race. “A lot of variable conditions, a lot of changing on the course, so it made it tough for competition.”

WOMEN’S SNOWBOARD CROSS

SB-LL2

Kate Delson delivered the top American result in the women’s SB-LL2 race, earning silver in her Paralympic debut.

Two-time Paralympian and four-time Paralympic medalist Brenna Huckaby did not reach the medal final, finishing third in her semifinal heat and moving to the small final instead of the big final.

“Of course you want to walk away with a medal, but why do we act like not winning is the end-all be-all?” Huckaby said afterward. “I’m here representing a very small portion of people who want to see themselves represented.”

The 20-year-old Delson advanced through the semifinals after holding second position behind France’s Cécile Hernandez. When two riders crashed behind them, Delson stayed upright through the final rollers trailing Hernandez by 3.52 seconds to secure a spot in the medal race.

In the big final, Hernandez moved quickly to the front while Delson held second as contact behind them again took two riders down. Hernandez crossed the line 0.77 seconds ahead of Delson to defend her Paralympic title.

Silver medalist Kate Delson of the United States, gold medalist Cécile Hernandez of France and bronze medalist Wang Xinyu of China pose on the podium after the women’s SB-LL2 snowboard cross event at the 2026 Paralympic Games. (PHOTO CREDIT: Danny Chin)

The podium captured a striking three-decade range within the sport. Hernandez, the defending Paralympic champion, won gold at age 51, while Delson reached the podium at 20 in her first Paralympic appearance. China’s Wang Xinyu, 22, got back up from her tumble and continued on to finish for the bronze medal.

“I am very proud that I was able to get this medal and represent all my friends and my family and my coaches who have helped get me here,” Delson said. “You only get to drop your first Paralympics Big Final once in your life… I was really in the moment, and that paid off.”

Huckaby placed sixth overall, while teammate Jaclyn Hamwey finished seventh in her Paralympic debut.

MEN’S SNOWBOARD CROSS

SB-LL1

In the men’s SB-LL1 competition, Noah Elliott captured the second silver medal of the day for the United States.

Elliott and teammate Mike Schultz both advanced through the quarterfinal round, with Schultz winning their heat and Elliott finishing second.

Noah Elliott of the United States celebrates with his silver medal after the men’s SB-LL1 snowboard cross event at the 2026 Paralympic Games. (PHOTO CREDIT: Danny Chin)

In the semifinal, Elliott finished second to secure a place in the medal race, nudging Schultz to the small final. Schultz ultimately placed sixth overall.

“Heat racing is a totally different ball game,” said Elliott.

In the big final, China’s Wu Zhongwei surged late to take the gold, Elliott finished second and Canada’s Tyler Turner claimed bronze.

“It feels so cool. I finally got the silver in there,” Elliott said after the race.

SB-LL2

The men’s SB-LL2 race featured three Americans advancing through the elimination rounds to the small final.

Keith Gabel finished fifth overall, Zach Miller was sixth and Joe Pleban ended up eighth after a tangle on the course in that last race.

Italy’s Emanuel Perathoner won gold, Australia’s Ben Tudhope took silver and Korea’s Lee Jehyuk earned bronze to complete the SB-LL2 podium.

SB-UL

The men’s SB-UL competition, which did not include any U.S. riders, saw China’s Ji Lijia win gold and teammate Zhu Yonggang take silver. Switzerland’s Aron Fahrni claimed bronze.

Snowboard cross is the first of two Para snowboard disciplines contested at the Games. Later in the week, riders will return to the course for banked slalom, a time-trial format where athletes navigate a series of banked turns and rollers individually, with the fastest run deciding the medals.