It’s been 20 years since Michael Milton competed in his last Paralympic ski racing event and little more than two years since he was diagnosed with bowel cancer. But this 52 year old legend of Australian sport leaves Canberra this week bound for a race in the US that could see him qualify to ski all five alpine events at the 2026 Paralympic Games.
With just seven weeks until the opening ceremony, Michael has already qualified in two of the five events: Giant Slalom and Slalom, and next week in Winter Park, Colorado, he will race Super Giant Slalom (SG). A solid performance could see him qualify for all three speed events.
“Right back in August when I thought about a comeback I felt I could perform my best in the speed events at the Games. I had one chance in Europe before Christmas but I blew it when I crashed in training three days before,” explained Michael.
If he misses out there is just one more chance before the Games – in Austria in mid-February.
It’s a risk because speed events are the first to be cancelled if the weather is bad or visibility is poor. I could go to the US and Austria and not be able to race at all. These two events really are last-chance stuff.
He flies out of Canberra on Thursday 15th January, a few weeks earlier than planned, and won’t return to Australia until after the Milano Cortina Paralympic Games 5-16 March. The Australian team will be announced late February. Michael is confident of selection but qualifying for the speed events should guarantee him a spot.
The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Games would be Michael’s seventh – including one summer Games (Beijing in 2008 as a cyclist). He retired from ski racing after the 2006 Torino Paralympic Games where he won a silver medal in the Downhill. Over his 18 year ski racing career, Michael won six Paralympic gold medals and six World Championships gold. He won Australia’s first winter gold medal at the 1992 Albertville Paralympic Games.
Since retiring from ski racing 20 years ago, he has battled two bouts of cancer: oesophageal cancer and, most recently, bowel cancer which was diagnosed in November 2023. Michael lost his leg to bone cancer as a nine-year-old.
He is proudly sponsored by Canberra Airport, Thredbo Resort, Head Skis, Quizzic Alley and Mont Adventure Equipment.
Key dates
15 January – Michael departs Canberra to Denver QF1422
20 January – Races at Winter Park, Colorado (Super-G, Slalom and Giant Slalom)
12-14 February – Races at Hinterstoder, Austria (Super-G, Slalom and Giant Slalom). Last chance to qualify in speed events.
Late February – Australian team announcement
6 March – 2026 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony
7 March – Downhill, Standing Men
9 March – Super-G, Standing Men
10 March – Alpine Combine, Standing Men
13 March – Giant Slalom, Standing Men
15 March – Slalom, Standing Men
15 March – Closing Ceremony
25 March – Michael arrives Canberra