Quick Read
- Natalie Wilkie won a silver medal in the women’s Para biathlon 7.5-kilometre sprint at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics.
- This was Canada’s first medal of the Games and Wilkie’s eighth career Paralympic medal.
- Wilkie, a flag-bearer for Team Canada, shot clean after two bouts and finished 4.9 seconds behind gold medalist Oleksandra Kononova.
- Team Canada secured three medals on Day 1, with Kalle Eriksson (silver) and Kurt Oatway (bronze) also reaching the podium.
- The 25-year-old athlete expressed confidence for upcoming cross-country races, despite admitting to some nervousness during the biathlon sprint.
MILANO CORTINA (Azat TV) – Canada’s Natalie Wilkie opened the 2026 Winter Paralympics with a silver medal in the women’s Para biathlon 7.5-kilometre sprint at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium on Saturday, March 7. This achievement marked Canada’s first medal of the Games and Wilkie’s eighth career Paralympic podium finish, setting a confident tone for Team Canada’s performance in Milano Cortina.
Wilkie, a 25-year-old athlete from Canmore, Alberta, showcased exceptional form, shooting clean after two bouts and maintaining a leading position for much of the competition. She ultimately finished just 4.9 seconds behind Ukraine’s Oleksandra Kononova, who secured the gold medal with a time of 18:41.5. Another Ukrainian athlete, Liudmyla Liashenko, took the bronze medal, with Wilkie separating the two Ukrainian competitors.
Wilkie’s Dominant Performance on the Biathlon Course
Despite taking slightly longer at the shooting range, Wilkie’s renowned skiing pace allowed her to close the gap significantly on the course. “I was able to make up a lot of time out on course,” Wilkie stated, as reported by RM Outlook. “I know I was shooting quite slowly today, but I did hit everything, which definitely helped. Out on the course, I was really feeling myself and was able to push the transitions and downhills, especially the downhill and the stadium section.”
Wilkie expressed satisfaction with her performance, viewing it as a strong start to the Games. “I think it’s a pretty good way to start,” she commented, adding that the high note gave her considerable confidence for the remainder of the week. She also acknowledged room for improvement, particularly in her shooting, but felt strong in her skiing, indicating potential for even better results in upcoming races, including two cross-country events scheduled for the following week.
Team Canada’s Strong Start at Milano Cortina
Wilkie’s silver medal was part of a successful Day 1 for Team Canada, which collectively earned three medals. In addition to Wilkie’s achievement, B.C.’s Kalle Eriksson, guided by Sierra Smith, claimed a silver medal in the men’s downhill vision impaired event. Kurt Oatway from Alberta contributed a bronze medal in the men’s downhill sitting ski competition, as confirmed by CJME. These early successes provided a significant boost for the 50 Canadian athletes competing across various disciplines at the Games, which run from March 6 to 15.
Other Canadian athletes also delivered notable performances on the opening day of Para biathlon. Brittany Hudak finished sixth in the women’s 7.5-kilometre sprint. Mark Arendz placed fifth in men’s standing, while Collin Cameron and Derek Zapoltinsky finished 11th and 14th, respectively, in men’s sitting. Christina Picton secured 10th place in women’s sitting, and Madison Mullin, with guide Brooke Ailey, also finished 10th in women’s vision impaired.
A Seasoned Paralympian’s Perspective
Wilkie, who entered Milano Cortina as one of Canada’s most accomplished Para nordic skiers, has a formidable record, including seven Paralympic medals from the 2018 PyeongChang and 2022 Beijing Games, three of which were gold. Despite her extensive experience, she admitted to feeling nervous during the race. “I did get kind of nervous and I got a little distracted in the range,” she shared. “I guess I was a bit more nervous and took more time to set up the shots, but the skiing was really good.”
Her role as a flag-bearer for Team Canada at the Opening Ceremony added another layer of significance to her performance, a fact highlighted by Paralympic.ca. Competing with her family in attendance, Wilkie expressed a strong desire to perform her best and make her country proud. “It’s an honour every time to wear the Maple Leaf, and especially this year being the flag bearer. I feel like that puts a little bit of extra eyes on me,” she remarked.
Natalie Wilkie’s silver medal not only marks an impressive start for Canada at the 2026 Winter Paralympics but also underscores her consistent elite performance and leadership as a seasoned Paralympian, setting a high benchmark for her teammates and inspiring national pride.