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The Italian Alps threw a little of everything at Lauren Parker and Dave Miln in their 20km cross-country final on Sunday, with the race starting in snow for the first time at these Paralympic Games, then some rain, a little sunshine, before low cloud set in.
But the Australian endurance pair of sit skiers navigated the course, albeit with a mishap or two, to finish 10th and 23rd respectively to wrap up six Nordic events over six days, three biathlon and three cross-country.
Parker, a two-time gold medallist at the Paris Summer Paralympics, enjoyed four top 10 finishes in her six events at her debut Winter Games, a 9th and 10th in biathlon’s 12.5km individual, and sprint pursuit events, and an 8th in the 10km to accompany her final day 10th in the 20km cross-country.
“When I first started the change in sports, I was excited by the challenge of getting to a Winter Paralympics and I’ve done it,” Parker said.
“I will continue with it absolutely. I only had 11 weeks on snow before coming here so I know there’s big improvements to come and I’m looking forward to that journey.”
That comes with the caveat that she wants to convert her top 10 finishes to at least top five at the 2030 France Winter Paralympics.
“Definitely… maybe even higher than that hopefully,” she said.
“I’ll be able to balance the sports – I know I can – so it’s a focus on LA (2028 Summer Games) after this, but I want to improve in skiing.
“There were parts of the course I struggled with today and there were parts I felt comfortable. I crashed on the first downhill bit in the first lap actually. But once I got that out of the way I was right.”
Miln also took a couple of falls as poor light added to the icy surface from overnight rain.
“I caught an edge three or four times, but I was able to bounce back up and get on with the race,” he said.
“It was unusual, but conditions were the same for everyone.
“The snow changed a lot underneath the skis and the light conditions changed a lot as well. The majority of us made the decision to go out without sunglasses on, which was relatively OK but made it difficult in some spots.”
Miln had been hoping for his third top 20 finish at Milano Cortina to add to his 12.5km individual in biathlon and his 20th in the 10km cross-country. His 23rd today from a field of 31 still gave him a sense of pride in finishing all six events at his debut Games.
“It’s a massive sense of accomplishment. It’s been amazing just getting here and competing and amazing to be able to have done six events.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed myself,” Miln said as he works towards further Paralympics in Los Angles in two years and France in four.
“I’ve got to talk to some of my coaches when I get back. I want to get back in touch with the triathlon season and see where that leads,” he said.
“I’ll keep in touch with the snow seasons 100 percent. I’d like to build on this and be back in four years is the hope – and maybe some other fun bits in between.”
By Margie McDonald, Paralympics Australia
Published: 15 March 2026
