Anna-Lena Forster (C) of Germany, Audrey Pascual Seco (L) of Spain, Liu Sitong of China pose during awarding ceremony for the para alpine skiing women's downhill sitting match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Cortina D'ampezzo, Italy, March 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
By Oliver Trust
CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Germany's Anna-Lena Forster celebrated a dramatic victory in the women's sitting downhill at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, claiming gold by just five hundredths of a second.
Wrapped in the German flag, the 30-year-old Para Alpine skier could hardly contain her excitement as she began a series of interviews after the race.
"I can't believe it," Forster said after securing the fifth Paralympic gold medal of her career. "I adore races like that when things are so tight and you find yourself on an emotional rollercoaster."
Forster completed the challenging course just 0.05 seconds ahead of Spain's Audrey Pascual Seco, while China's Liu Sitong took bronze, 5.48 seconds behind the winner.
"I already thought the victory was gone," Forster said after Seco pushed her close in the final meters. "Goodness, this is thrilling."
Tears ran down her cheeks as she added: "I am overwhelmed and can't believe I have made such a perfect start to the Olympics. It takes you through all sorts of emotions."
The German, competing in her fourth Paralympic Games, improved on the silver medal she won in the downhill event four years ago in Beijing.
She said the medal carried special meaning with family and friends able to watch in person.
"We competed in front of our families and friends," she said. "Games in Europe come with these special feelings for us."
Forster's parents, Sybille and Jurgen, were among those waiting to congratulate her shortly after the finish.
In preparation for the Games, Forster and her team worked extensively on refining her equipment, particularly the damping of her mono-ski, to handle the demanding downhill course.
The veteran athlete, who also devotes time to mentoring young talents, acknowledged the physical demands of the event.
"At an advanced age, it takes more energy to face these steep downhill races at a speed of around 100 kilometers," said Forster, who also works as a customs officer.
She said she had adopted a simple mental strategy heading into the Milano-Cortina Games.
"I just tell myself: just do it, just go."
The victory provides a strong start to her campaign in Italy, where she is scheduled to compete in four more events.
"This gold gives you much more confidence when entering the remaining events," she said. ■
Liu Sitong (R) of China congratulates Anna-Lena Forster of Germany during awarding ceremony for the para alpine skiing women's downhill sitting match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Cortina D'ampezzo, Italy, March 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Liu Sitong of China celebrates during awarding ceremony for the para alpine skiing women's downhill sitting match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Cortina D'ampezzo, Italy, March 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Liu Sitong of China celebrates during awarding ceremony for the para alpine skiing women's downhill sitting match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Cortina D'ampezzo, Italy, March 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Anna-Lena Forster of Germany celebrates during awarding ceremony for the para alpine skiing women's downhill sitting match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Cortina D'ampezzo, Italy, March 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Anna-Lena Forster of Germany competes during the para alpine skiing women's downhill sitting match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Cortina D'ampezzo, Italy, March 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Anna-Lena Forster of Germany competes during the para alpine skiing women's downhill sitting match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Cortina D'ampezzo, Italy, March 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Zhang Wenjing of China competes during the para alpine skiing women's downhill sitting match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Cortina D'ampezzo, Italy, March 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Audrey Pascual Seco of Spain competes during the para alpine skiing women's downhill sitting match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Cortina D'ampezzo, Italy, March 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Players of Belgium watch the para alpine skiing women's downhill sitting match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Cortina D'ampezzo, Italy, March 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Liu Sitong of China competes during the para alpine skiing women's downhill sitting match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Cortina D'ampezzo, Italy, March 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Audrey Pascual Seco of Spain competes during the para alpine skiing women's downhill sitting match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Cortina D'ampezzo, Italy, March 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
