Milan Cortina, Italy – Italy’s Chiara Mazzel soared to victory in the women’s super-G vision impaired at the Milan Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games on Saturday, adding to her silver medal in the downhill event. Meanwhile, Giacomo Bertagnolli secured a silver medal in the men’s vision impaired super-G, narrowly missing gold by just 16 hundredths of a second.
Mazzel, guided by Nicola Cotti Cottini, completed the course in a time of 1:14.84, securing the top spot on the podium. Austria’s Veronika Aigner claimed the silver medal and Slovakia’s Alexandra Rexova rounded out the podium with bronze. Another Italian, Martina Vozza, finished fourth.
Mazzel Overcomes Pre-Race Concerns to Claim Gold
The 29-year-old athlete from Trentino, representing the Fiamme Gialle sports club, demonstrated remarkable resilience to secure her gold medal. Mazzel, who has a glaucoma diagnosis that severely impacted her vision, has become a leading force in para-alpine skiing. Prior to this victory, she had already amassed five medals at the World Championships, including three golds at the 2023 Espot event in downhill, super-G, and combined. She has reached the podium 18 times in World Cup competition, with eight wins, including two previous podium finishes at Cortina.
“This gold medal weighs much more than the silver in downhill,” Mazzel said after the race. “I am very happy with how it went, especially because this morning during the course inspection, I started with a very strong headache and almost didn’t want to start, because I couldn’t keep my balance. I’m super satisfied with how I managed this inconvenience.”
Bertagnolli Takes Silver in Thrilling Men’s Super-G
In the men’s vision impaired super-G, Giacomo Bertagnolli, guided by Andrea Ravelli, delivered a strong performance, finishing just 0.16 seconds behind Austria’s Johannes Aigner, who took the gold. Canada’s Frédéric Ericsson secured the bronze medal. The race was a nail-biting affair, with the top three skiers separated by a mere fraction of a second.
A Rising Star: Chiara Mazzel’s Journey
Beyond her athletic achievements, Mazzel is a multifaceted individual with a passion for the French horn, painting, and writing. Her glaucoma diagnosis at the age of eighteen led to a rapid loss of vision, but she channeled her energy into para-alpine skiing, quickly establishing herself as a dominant force. Her dedication and talent have earned her widespread recognition within the Italian sporting community and beyond.
The Italian team’s success at the Milan Cortina 2026 Paralympics continues to build momentum, showcasing the country’s commitment to para-sport and the incredible abilities of its athletes. The victories of Mazzel and Bertagnolli are inspiring moments for the nation and a testament to the power of perseverance and determination.
What’s Next: The Paralympic Winter Games continue in Milan Cortina, with several more alpine skiing events scheduled in the coming days. Fans can follow the action and find updated schedules and results on the official Milan Cortina 2026 website.
