Two athletes with deep ties to the Pacific Northwest left this week for the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Milan-Cortina, according to reporting by KGW. Both competitors come from Oregon’s adaptive skiing community, a regional hub that also draws participants and supporters from Southwest Washington.

According to KGW’s reporting, this will be the second Paralympic appearance for sit-skier Ravi Drugan. Drugan has been part of the U.S. Paralympics alpine program for years and previously competed at the 2022 Beijing Games.

KGW also reported that this year marks the Paralympic debut of Anna Soens, an adaptive skier and mountaineer who gained wider attention in 2021 when public documentation confirmed she became the first paraplegic woman to summit Mount Hood. Her selection to the national team for Milan-Cortina has been highlighted by U.S. Paralympics as part of a cohort of athletes representing the country in alpine events.

Both athletes departed in late February as Team USA prepares for the Games’ opening ceremonies in early March. The U.S. Paralympics program notes that final competition schedules will be released closer to the start of events and may shift based on weather conditions and course assignments.

While the athletes live and train in Oregon, their presence is felt across the Columbia River. Adaptive sports organizations in Vancouver, Longview, and throughout Cowlitz County routinely collaborate with Oregon-based programs for training access, equipment sharing, and regional events. Their participation in the Paralympics tends to boost interest in local adaptive skiing and other outdoor recreation opportunities for residents with disabilities.

Why this matters

The Milan-Cortina Paralympics arrive at a moment when adaptive recreation access is expanding across the Pacific Northwest. For Southwest Washington communities, regional Paralympic athletes often help spotlight the need for accessible trail design, funding for adaptive equipment in public recreation programs, and cross-state partnerships that broaden opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities.

The Games begin March 6, with alpine skiing events scheduled throughout the following week. U.S. Paralympics provides ongoing updates for supporters tracking athlete performance and event times.

Sources

KGW: ‘Doing really exceptional things’: Oregon skiers leave for Paralympic Games in Milan Cortina