Emanuel Perathoner wins Italy’s first gold of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympics — at home

In sunny, mild conditions at the Cortina Para Snowboard Park on 8 March 2026, Emanuel Perathoner delivered a moment Italy had been waiting for: the host nation’s first gold medal of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. Making his Paralympic debut, the Italian stormed to victory in the men’s snowboard cross SB-LL2 big final, finishing ahead of Australia’s Ben Tudhope and the Republic of Korea’s Jehyuk Lee.

The triumph carried extra weight because of where it happened. Perathoner, a rider from Italy’s South Tyrol in the shadow of the Dolomites, was competing on home snow in front of family, friends and a roaring Italian crowd. “I’m super happy to bring home the gold medal in my home country,” he said after crossing the line. “I was hearing all the crowd cheering for us riders — I think that was the most emotional moment.”

“Making his Paralympic debut, the Italian stormed to victory in the men’s snowboard cross SB-LL2 big final, finishing ahead of Australia’s Ben Tudhope and the Republic of Korea’s Jehyuk Lee.”

The gold was also the reward for a long and uncertain road back. Perathoner sustained a serious knee injury during training for the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games that required replacement surgery, a setback that redirected his athletic career toward Para snowboard — a discipline that had long been his passion. Rather than end his story, the injury opened a new chapter, one that culminated at the very top of the podium.

His victory, greeted with chants and Italian flags across the finish area, set the tone for the host nation at these Games and offered a vivid reminder of why Para sport moves so many people. Perathoner’s combination of resilience, patience and sheer speed turned a career-threatening injury into a defining moment — and gave Italy a home hero to celebrate in the Alps.