Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – Germany’s Anna-Lena Forster is experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions at the Milan Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. After securing gold in the Women’s Downhill Sitting event on Saturday, the 30-year-old Para Alpine skier faced setbacks in subsequent races, most notably a disqualification in the Super-G and a silver medal in the Super Combined, falling just short of rival Audrey Pascual Seco of Spain.
The Paralympics have been a study in contrasts for Forster. Her dominant downhill run, completed in a time of 1:25.79, fulfilled expectations and edged out Pascual Seco by a mere five hundredths of a second. However, the momentum shifted dramatically on Monday when Forster unexpectedly missed a gate after a jump during the Super-G, ending her race prematurely. The Super Combined offered a chance for redemption, but Pascual Seco proved too strong once again on the “Olimpia delle Tofane” course.
Pascual Seco, 21, established a commanding lead in the Super-G portion of the Super Combined, finishing nearly three seconds ahead of Forster. Forster, known for her prowess in slalom, narrowed the gap in the second run, finishing just 0.46 seconds behind, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Spaniard’s advantage. Pascual Seco completed the Super Combined with a winning time of [time not provided in sources].
“Of course, the Super-G this morning is very frustrating for me. There was more potential there,” Forster said, as reported by Xinhua. “I find it easier on the shorter slalom skis. I have a completely different self-confidence there.” Despite the recent challenges, Forster expressed appreciation for the increased competition. “After years of dominance, I’m happy about the fresh wind among the favorites thanks to the Spaniard. That benefits the entire sport, and it gives me additional motivation.”
The rivalry between Forster and Pascual Seco is quickly becoming a defining storyline of the Milan Cortina Paralympics. Pascual Seco’s success builds on a strong recent record, including winning the downhill, Super-G, and giant slalom crystal globes during the 2025–26 FIS Para Alpine Ski World Cup season. She finished only 20 points behind Forster in the overall standings during that same season, signaling her emergence as a top contender.
Beyond the head-to-head battle between Forster and Pascual Seco, the Paralympics have also seen success for other athletes. Spain’s Linn Kazmaier secured a silver medal in the visually impaired class after a controversial disqualification of teammate Leonie Walter. Walter initially finished second, but her guide, Christian Krasman, was penalized for using a prohibited skating step.
German athletes also celebrated success outside of Forster’s events. Sebastian Marburger claimed a silver medal in the standing sprint cross-country skiing event, finishing just behind Belarus’s Raman Svirydzenka. Marburger, competing in his first Paralympics, expressed surprise at his performance, especially considering a recent illness. “I honestly expected something completely different, and I didn’t sense it would go so well,” he said.
Forster’s gold medal in the downhill on March 7th marked the fifth Paralympic gold of her career. The victory was particularly meaningful as it allowed her to share the moment with family and friends in attendance, a rare opportunity for European-based Paralympic events. Her parents, Sybille and Jurgen, were present to congratulate her immediately after the race.
The competition in Cortina d’Ampezzo highlights the growing depth and intensity within Para Alpine skiing. The Milan Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games are showcasing not only incredible athletic achievement but also compelling narratives of resilience, rivalry, and the pursuit of excellence.
Anna-Lena Forster will look to rebound in upcoming events, while Audrey Pascual Seco aims to continue her impressive run of form. The Para Alpine skiing schedule continues with further events throughout the week, offering more opportunities for athletes to compete for Paralympic glory.
Related reading
