Italy Makes History in Para Ice Hockey as China Leads Medal Table at Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympics

On the fourth day of competition at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Games, Italy recorded a historic milestone in para ice hockey, while new medals were awarded in alpine skiing and cross-country skiing. American athlete Oksana Masters secured her second gold medal of the Games, and Belarus celebrated the first Paralympic title in its history.

China continued to lead the medal standings with nine gold medals and a total of 25 medals. The United States followed in second place with five gold medals among 13 overall medals. Russia, making its return to the Paralympics, stood in seventh place with three gold medals.

While Italy had already secured three gold medals in earlier events, the host nation had additional reason to celebrate with its first-ever victory in para ice hockey. The sport also drew a record turnout earlier in the tournament when Italy faced the United States.

At the Milano Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena, Italy secured its first Paralympic para ice hockey win by defeating Germany 2–1. The decisive goal by Landeros sealed the victory at the end of an intense and closely contested match.

In alpine skiing, Spain’s Audrey Pascual Seco continued her remarkable performance at the Games. Known for her distinctive neon pink ski suit, the Spanish sit-skier claimed her second consecutive gold medal on Tuesday, adding to the country’s medal tally.

Even from a distance, Pascual Seco was easily recognizable on the slopes by her bright pink racing suit. Her strong performance in the Alpine combined race once again demonstrated her dominance on the course.

After securing Spain’s first Winter Paralympic gold medal in 12 years earlier in the competition, Pascual completed a golden double, adding the title to her earlier silver medal in the downhill event.

“I’m so happy with these medals,” Pascual told Olympics.com. “I’ve been dreaming of being at a Paralympic Games since I started skiing, and with a medal… I did see that as a bit more difficult, but we’ve only had three events, and I have a silver and two golds. I can’t believe it.”

Her distinctive pink sit-ski has become as recognizable as her medal-winning performances.

“I’ve always loved pink. When they asked me if I’d like to paint the chair in some way or personalize it, without a doubt I said fluorescent pink, so I’d be seen everywhere,” Pascual said. “Neon pink is my favorite color. I also wear matching gloves and goggles. It’s part of my identity now.”

On Tuesday, Pascual’s pink ski suit was a blur on the Olympia delle Tofane course as she delivered another strong performance. She finished 2.82 seconds ahead of defending champion Anna-Lena Forster in the super-G run. Although the German skier narrowed the gap in the slalom portion, she ultimately finished 0.46 seconds behind the Spaniard.

Liu Sitong of the People’s Republic of China finished close behind to secure her third bronze medal of the 2026 Paralympics.

Italian athletes also enjoyed a successful day, winning four additional medals and reinforcing the strong form of the country’s alpine skiing team.

Chiara Mazzel secured her third medal in three events, earning silver in the women’s visually impaired combined event alongside her guide, Nicola Cotti-Cottini. Having previously won gold in the Super-G and silver in the downhill, the skier from Trentino once again reached the podium on the Olympia delle Tofane course, finishing behind Austria’s Veronika Aigner.

Giacomo Bertagnolli, guided by Andrea Ravelli, captured gold in the men’s visually impaired combined event. The victory marked another milestone in his distinguished career, giving him at least one title in three consecutive Paralympic Games and bringing his total medal count to eleven.

Italy added two more silver medals in the men’s alpine combined slalom events. Federico Pelizzari finished second in the standing category, while René de Silvestro claimed silver in the sitting category.

In Tesero, American athlete Oksana Masters captured her second gold medal of the Games by winning the women’s sitting cross-country skiing event. The victory followed her earlier triumph in the cross-country biathlon.

Competition also continued in the mixed team wheelchair curling tournament. Slovakia defeated the United States 8–3, while the People’s Republic of China secured a 9–5 victory over Latvia.

Meanwhile, a historic moment was recorded in Paralympic cross-country skiing as Svirydzenka Raman, born in 2004, won the LW4 standing category to secure Belarus’ first-ever Paralympic gold medal.

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