Fitzpatrick builds confidence as Poole makes her Paralympic debut

Menna Fitzpatrick continued to build confidence in her third race at Milano Cortina 2026, after missing out on the last two seasons through injury.

The 27-year-old finished sixth in the women’s giant slalom VI alongside guide Katie Guest, improving on her first run to move up one place in a combined time of 2:36.51.

Fitzpatrick, who is ParalympicsGB’s most decorated Winter Paralympian, now competes in a knee brace after suffering an ACL injury in December 2025.

But has found her skiing flow return throughout her time in the Dolomites after returning to competition at her third Paralympic Games.

“I have definitely grown in confidence in the last few races. It is feeling a bit more like me and my own skiing. I am really looking forward to slalom coming up,” she said.

“Today has been a good step in the right direction. We executed the plan that we had, it was to go more aggressive in the second run.

“We really felt that. It was all about dialling in the communication and keep the tempo high.

“The nerves are definitely less, I wouldn’t say they are completely gone. It is a ski race at the Paralympic Games at the end of the day, you will always have some sort of nerves.

“I always think of it as your body’s way of preparing yourself for what is to come. I try and use those to my advantage.”

Fitzpatrick is competing in a field that has continued to improve in her injury-enforced absence, but it only means everyone is collectively pushing the levels in the sport.

“I’ve been out of it for two seasons now and seeing the girls really push on, seeing their technique,” she said.

“They have really helped grow the sport as well. It is nice to see that there are 15 on the start list today. It is lovely to see. I have just got to keep up with them.”

Hester Poole also made her Winter Paralympic debut at Milano Cortina 2026 in the same event, alongside guide Ali Hall.

The 18-year-old flew out of the gate at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre but fell at the top of the course on her first run to curtail her giant slalom participation.

But it is a setback she is already turning to her advantage.

“It wasn’t ideal,” she reflected. “I would have liked to put down a good run for my Paralympic debut.

“But some people come here and have glory stories, get gold straight away and then have to defend that, some people have redemption arcs - so that’s the angle I’m going for now.”

Poole, from Bath, has had something of a whirlwind start to 2026, from receiving an offer to study English Literature at the University of Cambridge in January, to receiving news of her Paralympic selection just a month ago.

Her academic pursuits mean she knows all about fairytale endings as she looks to chart her own Bildungsroman – or coming-of-age – in the Italian mountains.

And just as a good novel does not hinge on its ending, Poole will enjoy the journey as she builds experience on her first Paralympic tilt with the slalom event still to come.

“Generally, it’s not the joy of the finish, it’s the joy of the race so I’m most frustrated with the fact that I didn’t get the opportunity to go through more of the course,” reflected Poole.

“I definitely have regrets about today, but I was fighting out the start gate so that’s what I can take from it.

“I’ve still got the slalom to come on Saturday, I’m looking forward to it a lot. I’m going to just try and put this out the way and hopefully put down some good times.”