Radio National Breakfast Australian paralympians arrive in Milan ahead of Winter Games
Mar 5, 2026
Michael Milton, Australian Paralympic alpine skier and multiple-medal legend, talks about an unexpected comeback nearly two decades after retiring. He describes returning to competition, rehabbing a fractured femur and getting medical clearance, and handling family, travel and tricky spring-like snow. He also reflects on fear, risk and leaning on long experience on the slopes.
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Surprise Comeback Sparked By A Fun Race
- Michael Milton unexpectedly decided to return to Paralympic skiing after racing for fun in Thredbo and researching selection rules overnight.
- He convinced his family to join by promising a trip to Italy and moved from idea to training within months at age 52.
Racing Three Weeks After Stump Surgery
- Milton returned to racing just three weeks after surgery for a fractured femur in his stump and received medical clearance to ski.
- He acknowledged the unique mental challenge of risking a fall that could have serious consequences given the recent operation.
Spring Timing Creates Slush Risk
- The Paralympic skiing calendar forces events into spring, producing softer, slushy snow rather than deep winter conditions.
- Milton noted a strong overnight freeze improved training but warned inconsistent freezes could create challenging slushy race conditions.