Milano Cortina 2026 Day 8 Recap: Canada claims Paralympic gold in wheelchair curling

Cortina, Italy, March 14, 2026 – The Canadian Paralympic Team added a gold and bronze medal to its total at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games on Saturday. First, Michaela Gosselin took bronze in Para alpine skiing for the nation’s 200^th Paralympic Winter Games medal in history before the wheelchair curling team claimed gold in exciting fashion.  

MEDALS WON ON MARCH 14 

GOLD – Mark Ideson, Ina Forrest, Jon Thurston, Collinda Joseph and Gilbert Dash, Wheelchair Curling, Mixed Team Tournament  
BRONZE – Michaela Gosselin, Para alpine skiing, women’s standing slalom  

OVERALL MEDAL TOTAL 

GOLD – 3 
SILVER – 3 
BRONZE – 7 
TOTAL – 13 

RESULTS SUMMARY  

Wheelchair Curling 
Canada is back on top of the podium in wheelchair curling for the first time in 12 years after defeating China 4-3 in a nailbiting final. It was a close game throughout, with neither team scoring more than one point in an end. It all came down to the final end, with skip Mark Ideson securing the victory for his team on the last shot.  

For Ideson, it is his fourth Paralympic medal (two gold, two bronze) while Ina Forrest now has three golds and two bronze medals. She is the most decorated wheelchair curler in history. Jon Thurston and Collinda Joseph are now two-time medallists, adding gold to their 2022 bronze, while Gilbert Dash is Paralympic champion in his first Games appearance.  

Canada is the first nation to finish the tournament undefeated, and the only country to have won a wheelchair curling medal at all six Paralympic Winter Games since the sport was introduced – now four gold and two bronzes.  

“It was really hard to communicate with time crunch and the noise of the venue,” said Thurston about the last shot of the game. “But thankfully, Mark threw a pistol and was able to tap us in to make sure we were shot to win the gold. Mark just did it all week for us. He was a great leader and I’m super proud of him and this whole team and it’s super special.” 

“It’s validating for all the hard work that’s gone in the last 12 years,” said Ideson. “Not just by the members on the team but the staff behind the scenes and friends and family that have sacrificed lots of time for us to be on the road. It’s tough, but it’s all worth it for this moment.” 

Para Alpine Skiing  
Michaela Gosselin captured her first career Paralympic medal with a bronze in the women’s standing slalom. With a combined time of 1:29.19 through her two runs, she secured third, 0.22 seconds ahead of the fourth-place finisher. The two-time Paralympian had four Top 10 finishes in her races earlier this week and was fourth in this event four years ago at Beijing 2022.  

“I think it’s just starting to sink in that I won a medal,” said Gosselin. “It’s amazing, I think I really saved the best for last at these Games. It hasn’t gone the way I’d hoped until now. I’m at a loss for words, I’m so excited.” 

“I didn’t really have many expectations after how the other runs have gone, so I thought I’m just going to absolutely leave it all out there for the slalom. It wasn’t until after the first run that I thought wow I actually have a chance of getting a medal today. I was a bit nervous for second run, but I gave it my all, and it was enough so it’s pretty exciting.”  

In the same race, Florence Carrier was 11^th.  

Para Nordic Skiing – Para Cross-Country  
Canada competed in the Para cross-country skiing relays on Saturday. In the mixed 4 x 2.5km relay, Derek Zaplotinsky, Collin Cameron, Natalie Wilkie, and Mark Arendz finished fifth. The team of Logan Lariviere and guide Joe Hutton, Jesse Bachinsky and guide Levi Nadlersmith, Emma Archibald, and Maddie Mullin and guide Brooke Ailey were 10th in the open 4 x 2.5km relay.  

CLICK HERE for the complete results on Saturday March 14.