paralympic downhill breakthrough: Neil Simpson earns first World Cup podium since 2024 in Saalbach
Saalbach, Austria — In a breakthrough performance, Paralympic champion Neil Simpson secured third place in the men’s downhill Para-alpine event for vision-impaired athletes, receiving his first World Cup podium since 2024. Teaming up wiht his guide adn brother, Andrew Simpson, the Briton raced to a time of 58.07 seconds to clinch the spot on the podium.
Simpson trailed gold medallist Johannes Aigner of Austria by 3.10 seconds, as Aigner edged out Italy’s Giacomo Bertagnolli for the top honor by a margin of 0.11 seconds. Great Britain’s Snowsport head coach Pat sharples praised the pair’s performance, noting the favorable conditions that frequently enough favor speed events and underscoring the team’s strong effort this weekend.
“This is a great result for Neil and Andrew in their first World Cup downhill of the season,” Sharples said. “We couldn’t have asked for better conditions, which is always a huge bonus when athletes are competing in speed disciplines. I’m incredibly proud of the whole team.”
Neil Simpson’s podium this weekend marks his first since December 2024, when he claimed victory in the giant slalom at Courchevel. The 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympics saw him win gold in the Super-G and bronze in the super-combined, already highlighting a career defined by speed, precision, and resilience.
His achievements were recognized in the 2022 Birthday Honours, where he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to skiing. Simpson now eyes a continued push for medals at the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan-Cortina, slated for March next year, as he and his teammates prepare for another high-stakes season.
Key facts at a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Athlete | Neil Simpson |
| Guide | Andrew Simpson (brother) |
| Event | Men’s downhill, Para-alpine (vision impaired) |
| location | Saalbach, Austria |
| Time | 58.07 seconds |
| Result | Third place |
| Gold | Johannes Aigner (Austria) |
| Silver | Giacomo Bertagnolli (Italy) |
| Notable past medals | Gold — Super-G (2022 Beijing); Bronze — Super-combined (2022 Beijing) |
| Honour | MBE (2022 Birthday Honours) for services to skiing |
| Next target | 2026 Winter Paralympics, Milan-Cortina |
Beyond the numbers, the weekend podium underscores the enduring importance of trust between athlete and guide in para-alpine speed events. The closely choreographed teamwork, split-second decision making, and shared focus underpin every downhill run—and this result signals a renewed push from simpson and his team as they look toward Milan-Cortina in 2026.
For fans, the question is clear: how will this momentum translate into future World Cup stops and the Paralympic timeline ahead? And how will a growing the team’s experience shape strategies for navigating the toughest downhill courses on snow?
what’s your take on the significance of guide-athlete partnerships in para-alpine skiing? Do you beleive this podium marks the start of a new chapter for Simpson and his team?
share this update with fellow fans and leave your thoughts in the comments below. Your views help spotlight the resilience and skill that define Paralympic sport.
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