Park City Paralympian Saylor O'Brien skis into two 5th place finishes in Milan Cortina

The 22-year-old sit-skier has been an elite para alpine ski racer since age 13, representing Team USA in five events at the 2026 Paralympics.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 7:03pm

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Saylor O'Brien, a 22-year-old para alpine ski racer from Woodland, Utah, is competing in her first Paralympic Games in Milan Cortina, representing Team USA in five sit-ski events. O'Brien has been an elite para alpine skier since age 13 and has previously earned bronze medals at the 2023 World Para Ski Championships. In the Milan Cortina Games so far, O'Brien has finished in 5th place in both the downhill and Super-G events.

Why it matters

O'Brien's strong performances at the Paralympics highlight the growth and success of the para alpine skiing program in the United States. As a member of the National Ability Center's Competitive Team and Sisters in Sports, O'Brien is an inspiration to other young athletes with disabilities who aspire to compete at the highest levels of their sport.

The details

At the 2023 World Para Ski Championships, O'Brien earned bronze medals in Super-G and Alpine combined. In the 2024-25 season, she was named the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Adaptive Athlete of the Year. In the Milan Cortina Games, O'Brien has so far finished 5th in the downhill and Super-G events, with her best result being a 5th place finish in the downhill a couple days prior. She is scheduled to compete in the final two para alpine events, alongside her talented Team USA women's alpine teammates.

  • On March 9, 2026, O'Brien finished 5th in the downhill event.
  • On March 10, 2026, O'Brien finished 5th in the Super-G event.
  • On March 11, 2026, O'Brien finished 7th in the Super-G portion of the Alpine combined event, but was unable to complete the slalom portion.

The players

Saylor O'Brien

A 22-year-old para alpine ski racer from Woodland, Utah, representing Team USA in five sit-ski events at the 2026 Paralympic Games in Milan Cortina.

Audrey and Nate O'Brien

Saylor O'Brien's parents, who have been supportive of her skiing career and are in Italy to watch her compete.

National Ability Center

The organization that has had O'Brien on its Competitive Team before, during, and after her high school years at the Picabo Street Academy.

Sisters in Sports

The organization that O'Brien is a member of, which has provided her with a supportive community of female athletes.

Meg Gustafson

A 16-year-old Paralympian competing in alpine skiing for Team USA, with her older brother Spencer serving as her guide.

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What they’re saying

“In Sisters in Sports I've gained a group of female friends that I had never had in any other aspect of my life. Additionally, the National Ability Center is the most welcoming, accepting, supportive, and fun place, and I feel privileged to be a part of the organization.”

— Saylor O'Brien

“Our very first SIS athlete, Kate Delson, won a silver medal in Para snowboard yesterday. We're so proud of her. Meg is part of our our foundation. We support her and Spencer holistically and financially through the beginning of her career so far, she's showing up and learning what it's like, and she's rippin' it out there on the snow.”

— Danelle Umstead, Co-founder, Sisters in Sports

What’s next

O'Brien is scheduled to ski in the last two events of Para Alpine along with her talented Team USA women alpine teammates, Anna Soens, Audrey Crowley, Allie Johnson, Kelsey O'Driscoll, and Meg Gustafson.

The takeaway

Saylor O'Brien's strong performances at the 2026 Paralympic Games in Milan Cortina demonstrate the growth and success of the para alpine skiing program in the United States. As a member of the National Ability Center's Competitive Team and Sisters in Sports, O'Brien is an inspiration to other young athletes with disabilities who aspire to compete at the highest levels of their sport.