Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – The women’s alpine skiing competition concluded at the 2026 Winter Paralympics on Thursday, March 14th, with Germany’s Anna-Lena Forster narrowly missing a fourth medal in the slalom. Despite a strong second run, the 30-year-ancient monoski racer finished fourth, just 0.08 seconds off the podium. Meanwhile, German flag bearer Andrea Rothfuss concluded her Paralympic career with a seventh-place finish, expressing satisfaction with her performance.
Forster, already a decorated athlete at these Games with gold medals in the downhill and giant slalom and a silver in the super-combined, was aiming to add to her tally. The Tofana piste in Cortina d’Ampezzo proved challenging, with China’s Zhang Wenjing ultimately claiming gold, finishing 0.43 seconds ahead of Forster’s combined time.
“It’s brutally bitter right now. It really hurts,” Forster said, visibly emotional after the race. “I knew going in that the slalom would be the most difficult race because the slope is so flat and it’s hard to gain time. I didn’t suppose it would be *this* brutal. I showed what I could do in the second run, but it wasn’t enough, and that hurts. I need some time to process it.”
The German team’s performance at the Winter Paralympics has been noteworthy, with Forster leading the charge. Her success in the downhill and giant slalom events established her as a dominant force in women’s alpine skiing. The slalom, however, presented a different set of challenges, requiring precision and finesse on a course that favored a different style of skiing.
Rothfuss, who carried the German flag during the opening ceremony alongside Jörg Wedde, brought her impressive Paralympic career to a close. She finished seventh in the slalom, adding to her previous results of fourth in the downhill and giant slalom, and sixth in the super-combined.
“I came here and said a top-eight finish would be nice. I ended up competing in four races instead of the two I had planned, so for me, it’s a complete success,” Rothfuss stated. “I still feel a little like I’m in a dream.” Rothfuss’s journey to these Games was particularly inspiring, as she returned to competition in December 2025 after a two-year hiatus due to depression.
Adding to Germany’s success, 17-year-old Maya Fügenschuh, a Paralympic debutante, finished tenth in the slalom, building on her ninth-place finish in the giant slalom with guide Johanna Holzmann. “It’s not a given to finish all four runs, so I’m really happy that we completed all four,” Fügenschuh said.
The 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo have showcased remarkable athleticism and determination from athletes around the globe. Germany’s contingent, with 40 competitors across five sports, has secured a total of 16 medals – 2 gold, 5 silver, and 9 bronze – as of March 14th. Anna-Lena Forster and Andrea Rothfuss have been central figures in Germany’s success, embodying the spirit of the Paralympic Games.
As the Games continue, attention now shifts to other events, with the closing ceremony scheduled for March 15th. The German team will look to build on its current medal count in the remaining competitions.
The German Paralympic Committee (DBS) continues to support athletes like Forster, Rothfuss, and Fügenschuh, fostering a culture of inclusivity and excellence in Paralympic sport. Their dedication and achievements serve as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and a testament to the power of the human spirit.
Next up for the German team is the closing ceremony on Sunday, March 15th, where Andrea Rothfuss and Christian Schmiedt will carry the German flag. Fans can follow updates and results on the official Paralympic website: www.dbs-npc.de.
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