Winter Paralympics 2026: Fred Warburton competes just one year after his first race

Fred Warburton can remember the exact date of his first official ski race: February 22, 2025.

Just over a year later, he can call himself a Paralympian, having competed in his first event at the Milan-Cortina Winter Games.

Having previously competed in skiing as a tourist, the 31-year-old’s journey to the Games began as a desire “just to impress” his Italian father-in-law.

This took him to seventh place in Saturday’s downhill, where he raced with his guide James Hannan down the famous Olympia delle Tuvan piste, with more events to follow over the coming days.

“I never thought this would be possible five or six years ago,” said Warburton, who was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye condition, about seven years ago. “I didn’t know where my life was going, and I had no idea what was going to happen.”

“I’m not much of a poker player, but you have to play the hand you’re dealt.

“I started skiing more seriously just to impress my father-in-law. He was ski racing that day.

“He watches at home and is happy, and he comes out to watch Super G and they are all so proud of me.”

Warburton and Hannan only met about 18 months ago, but they are seizing the opportunity to participate in their first Paralympics with both hands.

Saturday’s event was their first ever downhill race, with a calculated finishing time putting them 14.24 seconds behind winner Johannes Aigner of Austria, who captured a second straight Paralympic gold medal.

“What a rollercoaster it has been,” said Warburton, who lives in Cervinia with his wife, while Hanan lives in their spare room.

“I knew I was losing my vision for about seven years, and I decided to give it my best shot and attack it, and it’s been an amazing journey, compressed and squeezed into just over a year.”

He added: “The big goal for us is 2030 and to build towards that and have this experience, but it is a story of persistence and determination and it shows anyone who faces some adversity, to give your best, and you can do anything.”

Fellow British athlete Neil Simpson and his guide and brother Andrew Simpson finished fourth, 2.67 seconds off the podium.

Simpson is the defending champion in the super-G tournament, which takes place on Monday.