Winter Paralympics: Neil Simpson and Rob Poth win first British medal at Milano Cortina

Take a bow, Neil Simpson and Rob Poth. The duo have won Great Britain's first medal of the Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics after securing a second-place finish in the alpine combined. This is the third time that skiing legend Simpson has claimed a Winter Olympic medal, following on from his impressive gold and bronze medal triumphs in Beijing four years ago.

Great Britain have claimed their first medal of the Winter Paralympics in Milano Cortina after Neil Simpson and his guide Rob Poth secured a stunning silver medal in the alpine combined.

This is the third Winter Paralympic medal of Simpson’s illustrious career after he won super-G gold and super combined bronze in Beijing four years ago.

However, this is the first time that Poth, who was making his Winter Paralympic debut, has claimed a medal at the event.

Winter Olympics

French Alps inspires official 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games logos

18/06/2026 at 18:30

Simpson was delighted to get over the line against such a strong field of rivals.

"I'm really chuffed with the performance, some good skiing on the second run, and we carried out the plan we had," said Simpson.

"The visually impaired men's [category] is really strong, there are lots of really quick guys in there, so I'm pleased to get on the podium."

Highlights: Pinheiro Braathen storms to victory in giant slalom in Kranjska Gora

Video credit: TNT Sports

The alpine combined sees athletes battle it out over the super G and slalom, using combined factored times to decide who comes out on top.

Simpson and Poth appeared to be on their way to their third fourth-place finish at Milano Cortina after ending the super-G in fourth.

However, they battled back in the slalom, recording the fastest time to finish in second place overall.

The Italian duo of Giacomo Bertagnolli and his guide Andrea Ravelli won the gold medal, while Austria's Johannes Aigner and Nico Haberl claimed the bronze.

Poth admitted it was a relief to win the medal after the event’s dramatic conclusion.

"I'm buzzing. For me, it was a little bit of a relief, but our slalom is in a great place," said Poth.

"We can use that as confidence for the slalom.

"Run by run, we are building up the confidence, that has definitely taken it up a notch, and we're getting closer to that top step.

Highlights: Pirovano wins women's downhill in Val di Fassa by the finest of margins

Video credit: TNT Sports

"We're on a high, and hopefully we can continue on that trajectory."

Simpson won Great Britain’s only gold medal in Beijing alongside his brother Andrew Simpson.

It was the first time that a British male athlete had won a gold medal at the Winter Paralympics.

Simpson also has four World Championship medals to his name.

Simpson and Poth have two more events remaining at the Winter Paralympics.

They will take part in the giant slalom and slalom as the event continues this month.

---

Watch a daily 2026 Paralympic Games highlights show live on TNT Sports and discovery+

Olympic Games Milano Cortina 2026

Vonn may 'never race again' as ski icon weighs up future

01/05/2026 at 12:56

Alpine Skiing

Vonn won't 'close the door' on skiing return

26/03/2026 at 20:12