Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – Anna-Lena Forster delivered a thrilling performance, capturing Germany’s first gold medal at the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in the women’s sitting alpine skiing downhill event. The 30-year-ancient Monoskier edged out Spain’s Audrey Pascual Seco by a mere 0.05 seconds on the famed Tofana piste, adding to her impressive Paralympic medal count.
“Simply incredible,” Forster said, draped in the German flag as she began a series of interviews. This marks Forster’s first downhill gold, adding to her silver medal from the 2022 Beijing Games. What we have is her fifth Paralympic gold medal, building on her previous successes in slalom and super-combined events.
A Dramatic Start to the Games
The race unfolded as a nail-biting affair. Forster, starting as the second racer, navigated a challenging course, acknowledging some minor difficulties during her run. “The result is perfect, but the race itself was very wild. I had a couple of moments where I thought, ‘Oh no, you can’t afford to do that,’” she explained. A prior crash by Dutch racer Barbara van Bergen briefly halted the competition, but did not impact Forster’s final result. “I know when Barbara starts ahead of me, that can happen, unfortunately she’s prone to crashes,” Forster added.
The drama continued as Forster waited in the finish area, watching the remaining competitors complete their runs. “It’s so exciting to be down here waiting for everyone to finish,” she admitted. A tense moment arose when the Spanish racer briefly held the lead on the intermediate times. “I had almost written off gold at that point. But somehow, it was enough in the finish. It was a real thriller. I think it’s amazing when races unfold like today, when it’s so, so close,” Forster said.
A Pre-Race Battle with Nerves
The day began unexpectedly for Forster, a Zoll (Customs) Ski Team member. “I felt nauseous. I didn’t want to eat anything,” she revealed, adding that she woke up feeling unusually nervous. The previous evening, watching the opening ceremony at the German House on television, she had felt relaxed, but those feelings quickly dissipated. “But I think that’s part of it,” she conceded.
Wicker Secures Bronze in Biathlon
Germany’s success didn’t stop with Forster. Anja Wicker added to the medal haul, securing a bronze medal in the women’s sitting sprint biathlon event. Oksana Masters of the United States took gold, followed by her teammate Kendall Gretsch. Both Masters and Gretsch completed the course without any shooting errors.
“I’ve been dreaming of winning a medal in the first race for weeks. Incredible that it was so exciting. The last lap was really tough, but I’m super happy that it worked out,” Wicker said, adding with a smile, “I’ll definitely toast with a Coke!”
Wicker, who has a malformed lower spine, encountered two shooting errors during her fourth Paralympic appearance. She will have another opportunity to compete for a medal in the individual biathlon event on Sunday. In addition to biathlon, Wicker will as well compete in cross-country skiing events.
“I want more and I’m still motivated. But the goal was to win a medal here. And I did. That’s why I think I’ll sleep pretty well tonight,” she stated.
Looking Ahead
The Paralympic Winter Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo are underway, and Germany has started strong. Anna-Lena Forster’s gold medal and Anja Wicker’s bronze have set a positive tone for the team. Wicker will compete in the individual biathlon event on Sunday, offering another opportunity for Germany to add to its medal count. The games continue with a full schedule of events across various disciplines, promising more thrilling competition and inspiring performances.
DPA
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