U.S. Paralympics Nordic Skiing Names 12 Athletes to Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games Team

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – U.S. Paralympics Nordic Skiing named 12 athletes to represent Team USA at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. The roster features Paralympic champions as well as athletes who will make their Paralympic Winter Games debut in Italy, all of whom bring consistent performance and dedication to the team. 
 
“We’re thrilled to announce the 12 Para Nordic athletes named to the 2026 U.S. Paralympic Team that reflect the strength of our program,” said BethAnn Chamberlain, Coach for the U.S. Paralympics Nordic Skiing Team. “Every athlete named has earned this opportunity through consistent performance, commitment to improvement and a shared dedication to representing Team USA. They support one another, push one another, and compete as a harmonious team, and that culture has been a defining part of our success.”

The roster for Milano Cortina 2026 includes some of the most accomplished athletes in U.S. winter Paralympic sport history, including 19-time Paralympic medalist Oksana Masters, seven-time Paralympic medalist Kendall Gretsch, seven-time Paralympian Aaron Pike, seven-time Paralympic medalist Dan Cnossen, and four-time Paralympic medalist Jake Adicoff, who will race in the men’s visual impairment category with guides Peter Wolter and Reid Gobel. Each of these athletes brings extensive Paralympic and world championship experience into their preparations for Milano Cortina 2026.

They are joined by a group of athletes who have continued to elevate their performances throughout the quad leading up to Milano Cortina, including three-time Paralympic medalist Sydney Peterson, two-time Paralympian Dani Aravich, recent FIS Para Nordic World Cup winner Josh Sweeney, Paralympian Max Nelson, and Paralympian Erin Martin. Nelson will compete in the men’s visual impairment category alongside guide August “Gus” Schatzlein. The team also features two athletes set to make their Paralympic Winter Games debut: Jack Berry and Nicole Zaino.

The team enters the Paralympic Winter Games following a strong 2025-26 world cup season that featured podium finishes across both cross-country and biathlon competitions. Throughout the winter, American skiers earned 51 total medals, including 24 gold medals, at world cup stops in Canmore, Canada, Finsterau, Germany, Notschrei, Germany, and Jakuszyce, Poland, showcasing the depth across disciplines. Performances throughout the season highlight the team's readiness to contend in sprint and distance events and deliver under pressure in Milan.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games will open March 6 and run through March 15. Biathlon events are scheduled for March 7-8 and March 13 at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, and cross-country ski races will be held March 10-11 and March 14-15 at the same venue.

Media contact: For media requests and photo inquiries, please contact Olivia Truby at Olivia.Truby@usopc.org. 

U.S. Para Nordic Team for Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games 

Jake Adicoff (Sun Valley, Idaho) Guides: Peter Wolter (Hailey, Idaho) and Reid Goble Harbor Springs, Mich.) 

Dani Aravich (Boise, Idaho) 

Jack Berry (Missoula, Mont.) 

Dan Cnossen (Topeka, Kan.) 

Kendall Gretsch (Downers Grove, Ill.) 

Erin Martin (Seattle, Wash.) 

Oksana Masters (Louisville, Ky.) 

Max Nelson (Grant, Minn.) Guide: August “Gus” Schatzlein (Savage, Minn.) 

Aaron Pike (Park Rapids, Minn.) 

Sydney Peterson (Lake Elmo, Minn.) 

Josh Sweeney (Glendale, Ariz.) 

Nicole Zaino (Brookfield, Conn.)