Delson (left) and Elliot bringing home the hardware. Photo: U.S. Ski and Snowboard
The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics have held their closing ceremonies, but the games are not over just yet. Just days into the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, two Americans have secured silver medals in snowboard cross.
As U.S. Ski and Snowboard reports, the first medal was won by Kate Delson, who competed in the women’s Lower Limb 2 (LL2) classification. The 20-year-old is the youngest member of the U.S. Para Snowboard Team, making her Olympic debut. Hailing from San Diego, California, she first developed her love of snowsports in Mammoth Lakes, California.
“I’ve got a smile on my face right now!” she told U.S. Ski and Snowboard. “This represents so much and I’m so proud to be here representing my country and my family and friends that are here and at home that have been supporting me from the very beginning. Their support has brought the confidence that I get to wear now and I’m so excited to show them this medal and put it over their necks.”
On the men’s side, Noah Elliott won silver in the Lower Limb 1 (LL1) classification. Unlike, Delson, this isn’t Elliot’s first brush with Olympic glory. He previously won a gold and bronze from the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games, in the banked slalom and snowboard cross events, respectively.
“I’m so proud because I just realized today the silver completes my Paralympic set: gold, silver, bronze. That’s really, really cool and exciting,” said Elliott. “But it’s just been a lot of hard work these last four years – a lot of sacrifice, time with the family on the road and just constant grind every single day. So I couldn’t be more proud to cross that finish line and get my medal today.”
It’s not only a momentous event for Delson and Elliot, but a big year for the Paralympics. This itteration marks the 50th anniversary of the inaugural Winter Paralympics in 1976.
