Australia's sit skier Josh Hanlon has refused to let a crash seconds into his Paralympic downhill run derail his gold medal ambitions. The 28-year-old lost control of his ski on the Olympia delle Tofane course in Cortina on Saturday, failing to finish the race. He was one of 11 skiers from a 23-strong field who did not complete the course.
Hanlon, a former AFL prospect with GWS, had been considered Australia's best hope for a podium finish. Despite the setback, he remains determined to push for victory in the men's combined, giant slalom, slalom and super-G events. 'I want to come down in first, so I've got to give it everything,' Hanlon said.
The crash occurred on the same course where US skier Lindsey Vonn suffered a serious crash. Hanlon explained that he was going for the win and the ski did not hold as expected. His parents, Leanne and Andrew, were in Cortina to support him after missing his debut at the 2022 Beijing Games.
Hanlon took up sit-skiing after a life-threatening bacterial infection led to the amputation of both legs below the knee and his dominant right hand in 2018. He finished sixth in the slalom at the Beijing Games, less than three years after starting the sport.
In other events, dual summer Paralympic gold medallist Lauren Parker finished 13th in the women's sprint sitting on her Winter Games debut. Taryn Dickens placed last in the women's vision impaired sprint, while Dave Miln and Matt Brumby finished 26th and 28th respectively in the men's sprint sitting.
