Canberra Airport has announced a sponsorship of $50,000 to support Michael’s comeback to ski racing and his bid to, once again, represent Australia at the 2026 Milano Cortina Paralympic Games.
The partnership highlights Canberra Airport’s ongoing commitment to supporting local talent, elite athletes, and inspiring individuals who embody the values of quality, courage, and excellence.
With the sponsorship now locked in, the six-time Paralympian, six-time gold medallist, world record holder, and three-time cancer survivor will leave Canberra next week to travel to Europe and race in the hope of qualifying for the Games and Australian team selection.
“We’re about backing people with bold ideas and those who dare to have a go,” said Canberra Airport CEO Stephen Byron. “Michael’s story is one of resilience and determination. He’s one of Canberra’s unsung heroes, and we’re very proud to support him as he takes on this next challenge.”
Since retiring from ski racing at the 2006 Paralympic Games, Michael has battled two more serious cancers and that has influenced his approach to this campaign to compete at his seventh Games. While he hopes to qualify for five events and finish in the top ten, his main goal is to challenge himself.
“Two years after my bowel cancer diagnosis, I feel like I’m already winning. I want to celebrate that by being as healthy and strong as I can be.” said Michael Milton.
I love to ski, I love to race and I love to set big goals. Sure, I’m 52 but, if I can do it, why not?
Michael’s first stop is Austria where he will spend time training on a glacier to “get his ski leg back”. He will then compete in races throughout the European Alps. Good results at those events will see him qualify for the Paralympic Games in March and selection in the Australian team, due to be announced mid-February.
During the Australian winter, Michael trained at Thredbo and raced at the National Championships and qualified in giant slalom. He heads to Europe ranked 32nd in the world in that event. Before he returns to Canberra for Christmas, he hopes to improve his ranking but also qualify to race slalom, downhill, super giant slalom and alpine combined.
“There are a couple of critical points along the way: days when I have just one or two chances to hit the mark. A lot of athletes will already have qualified last season or have events in January they can go to. I’m setting myself a tough task to qualify for five events in just four weeks but I genuinely think I can do it.
“I am so grateful to Canberra Airport. They really have stepped in and turned my dream into a reality. I’m Canberra born and bred and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. We’re so lucky to live in what is a great big country town with big city services, including an international airport,” said Michael.
Assuming his success in Europe in December, Michael will return to Canberra just before Christmas and spend February in the US preparing for the 2026 Paralympic Games which start on 6th March.