Our stories
196 athletes from 16 countries competed in the first winter Paralympics in Örnsköldsvik. Australia’s only participant was Ron Finneran.
Australia at the Örnsköldsvik Winter Paralympics 1976
Australia at the Örnsköldsvik Winter Paralympics 1976
Ron Finneran carried the Australian flag at the opening ceremony of the first winter Paralympics
Ron Finneran carried the Australian flag at the opening ceremony of the first winter Paralympics
A contrast for Finneran, who was alone four years before
A contrast for Finneran, who was alone four years before
Time for a photo before Grunnsund starts his alpine events
Time for a photo before Grunnsund starts his alpine events
To compete at the highest level in two different disciplines is amazing."
Nick Dean reflects on the achievements of Kyrra Grunnsund
Nick Dean reflects on the achievements of Kyrra GrunnsundOur stories
Three Australian athletes participated in these Games: Rodney Mill (Cross-Country Skiing), Kyrra Grunnsund (Alpine Skiing) and Andrew Temple (Alpine Skiing).
Australia at the Innsbruck Winter Paralympics 1984
Australia at the Innsbruck Winter Paralympics 1984
Michael Collins enjoyed the Stubai Galcier weather before getting down to business
Michael Collins enjoyed the Stubai Galcier weather before getting down to business"As a 14 year old, your're sitting there with 2 of the best 5 guys in the world."
Michael Milton talks about his first Paralympic Games
Michael Milton talks about his first Paralympic Games
A very young Michael Milton gets set for his first Paralympic event
A very young Michael Milton gets set for his first Paralympic event
Full focus for Evan Hodge in the downhill, the speed event
Full focus for Evan Hodge in the downhill, the speed event
Our stories
Australia sent five athletes, all Alpine Skiers, to the 1992 Winter Paralympics and came home with its first ever medals.
Australia at the Albertville Winter Paralympics 1992
Australia at the Albertville Winter Paralympics 1992"It just made it worth everything ... I was the happiest girl ever."
Adrienne Smith on how she funded the team and what it meant
Adrienne Smith on how she funded the team and what it meant
The media director and athletes on their way to the opening ceremony
The media director and athletes on their way to the opening ceremony"It was the first time that we got some real media coverage."
Adrienne Smith and the media coverage thanks to Paul Griffiths and his ‘black box’
Adrienne Smith and the media coverage thanks to Paul Griffiths and his ‘black box’
The first team to have technical support staff such as Alan Dean
The first team to have technical support staff such as Alan Dean"As a sit skier he was an absolutely, spectacularly, brilliant athlete"
Nick Dean says that Michael Norton was one of the best athletes he ever saw
Nick Dean says that Michael Norton was one of the best athletes he ever saw
Michael Norton on his way to a slalom bronze medal
Michael Norton on his way to a slalom bronze medal"It was absolutely amazing, it had us all in tears"
Nick Dean discusses the first Winter Paralympic medal won by an Australian
Nick Dean discusses the first Winter Paralympic medal won by an Australian
"It wasn't just me, it was the whole team environment."
Michael Milton on the significance of Australia’s first ever winter medals
Michael Milton on the significance of Australia’s first ever winter medals
Craig Windham shows his style at pre-Games training
Craig Windham shows his style at pre-Games training
It was all about the preparation for Michael Norton and the Australian team
It was all about the preparation for Michael Norton and the Australian team
Rod Hacon takes a tight line in pre-Games competition
Rod Hacon takes a tight line in pre-Games competition
David Munk heads to the line with the Lillehammer Games still ahead
David Munk heads to the line with the Lillehammer Games still aheadOur stories
The Lillehammer Winter Paralympic Games were held in 1994, six months after Sydney was awarded the 2000 Paralympics.
Australia at the Lillehammer Winter Paralympics 1994
Australia at the Lillehammer Winter Paralympics 1994
Michael Milton continued right on from the previous Games
Michael Milton continued right on from the previous Games
"I started off as a technical skier. It's a pattern that is worldwide."
Michael Milton talks about the qualities needed for the alpine skiing events
Michael Milton talks about the qualities needed for the alpine skiing events
The head coach and captain celebrate a great team performance
The head coach and captain celebrate a great team performance
"The level of preparation that we had was a real big step up between 1992 and 1994. And we saw that in the results..."
Michael Milton talks about the jump the Team made from 1992 to 1994
Michael Milton talks about the jump the Team made from 1992 to 1994Our stories
Looking for more about the 1994 winter Paralympics in Lillehammer? Here are some links you can visit and ideas to find out more.
Want More?
Want More?Our stories
Australian team and results at the 1996 World Disabled Alpine Championships, Lech, Austria.
Skiing World Championships 1996
Skiing World Championships 1996Our stories
Australian team and results at the VIth World Ski Championships for Disabled, 24 January – 2 February, Anzere, Switzerland.
Skiing World Championships 2000
Skiing World Championships 2000Our stories
Australian team and results at the IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships, 30 January – 6 February 2004, Wildschönau, Austria.
Skiing World Championships 2004
Skiing World Championships 2004
The alpine skiing program traditionally starts with the downhill – fast and scary!
The alpine skiing program traditionally starts with the downhill – fast and scary!
Even scarier on one leg? Milto eats up the downhill.
Even scarier on one leg? Milto eats up the downhill.
"You want to compete at a level playing field..."
Michael Milton talks about the changes to the classes for Torino
Michael Milton talks about the changes to the classes for Torino
The recognisable style of Toby Kane, on his way to his first Paralympic medal
The recognisable style of Toby Kane, on his way to his first Paralympic medal
Back on the slopes, Shannon Dallas put in a huge second run in the GS
Back on the slopes, Shannon Dallas put in a huge second run in the GS
Emily Jansen became Australia’s first female winter Paralympian
Emily Jansen became Australia’s first female winter Paralympian
Slalom is the final event on the alpine skiing program and conditions were tough
Slalom is the final event on the alpine skiing program and conditions were tough
Michael Milton went retro in his final race at the winter Paralympics
Michael Milton went retro in his final race at the winter Paralympics
It was the end of a long journey for Milto and his family
It was the end of a long journey for Milto and his familyOur stories
Australian team and results at the IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships, 19 February – 1 March, High 1 Resort, Korea.
Skiing World Championships 2009
Skiing World Championships 2009Our stories
Australian team and results at the 2011 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships, 14 – 23 January, Sestriere, Italy.
Skiing World Championships 2011
Skiing World Championships 2011Our stories
Australian team and results at the 2013 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships, 18 – 27 February, La Molina, Spain.
Skiing World Championships 2013
Skiing World Championships 2013Our stories
Australian team and results at the 2015 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships, 2 – 10 March, Panorama Mountain Village, British Columbia, Canada.
Skiing World Championships 2015
Skiing World Championships 2015Our stories
Australian team and results at the 2017 World Para Skiing World Championships, 22 – 31 January 2017, Tarviso, Italy.
Skiing World Championships 2017
Skiing World Championships 2017Our stories
Australian team and results at the 2019 World Para Skiing World Championships, 21 – 24 January, Sella Nevea, Italy and 28 – 31 January, Kranjska Gora, Slovenia.
Skiing World Championships 2019
Skiing World Championships 2019© 2026 Australian Paralympic Committee
Web Design and Development by NOUS