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neil Simpson Secures Downhill World Cup Podium Ahead of 2026 Paralympics
Published: 2026/01/17 12:54:46
British Skier Achieves Season Best in Austria
Neil Simpson, a Winter Paralympic gold medallist, achieved a significant milestone in his competitive season, securing a third-place finish in teh men’s downhill Para-alpine (vision impaired) event at the World Cup in Saalbach, Austria. This marks his first World Cup podium sence December 2024 and a career-first in the downhill discipline. Simpson, guided by his brother Andrew Simpson, completed the course in 58.07 seconds.
Race Results and Competition
The Simpson brothers finished 3.10 seconds behind Austria’s Johannes Aigner, who claimed the gold medal. Italy’s Giacomo Bertagnolli secured the silver, finishing just 0.11 seconds behind Aigner in a tightly contested race.The results demonstrate the high level of competition within Para-alpine skiing.
Expert Reaction
Pat Sharples, Great Britain’s Snowsport head coach, praised the performance, stating, “This is a great result for Neil and Andrew in their first world Cup downhill of the season.” Sharples also highlighted the favorable conditions, adding, “We couldn’t have asked for better conditions which is always a huge bonus when athletes are competing in speed disciplines.[I’m] super proud of the whole team who’ve done a fantastic job.”
Simpson’s Paralympic History and future Goals
Neil Simpson’s success builds upon a strong Paralympic record. He won gold in