Having competed in eight Paralympic Winter Games between them Paralympian #158 Adam Hall MNZM and Paralympian #188 Corey Peters MNZM have been a mainstay of the NZ Paralympic Team on the winter stage for many years. Ten months out from the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games the Kiwi duo – who both hope to secure selection – offer their assessment of Milano Cortina 2026 and how they both are tracking.
Adam Hall anticipates Milano Cortina 2026 will provide an “amazing spectacle” while Corey Peters is looking forward to the welcome return of spectators after the Covid-19 impacted Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, as the experienced duo target their next big goal.
Hall, 37, who made his Paralympic debut on Italian slopes at Turin 2006, says the Games will represent a welcome return to the heartlands of alpine skiing and that can only be good for the atmosphere and vibrancy of the event.
“The past few Paralympic winter campaigns we have been in countries such as China, Korea and Russia which don’t have a long-standing tradition in alpine skiing, so it is nice to be going back to a resort in central Europe,” says Adam, who has won two gold and three bronze medals at the Paralympic Winter Games during his long and illustrious career.
“The hill is world-renowned and hosts a World Cup event for the able-bodied skiers. The Dolomites are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which offers some stunning views, so it will provide an amazing spectacle. It has some world-class venues, so I look forward to seeing it all come together in March next year.”
For Corey, who has claimed four medals across three Paralympic Winter Games highlighted by gold in the Men’s Downhill Sitting event in Beijing 2022, Milano Cortina 2026 will represent a welcome return for the fans.
In Beijing Covid-19 restrictions meant spectators were not present, however Italy will serve up a great opportunity for family, friends and supporters to be in attendance.
“I’m looking forward to it, because unlike China which had no spectators, Milano Cortina will be different,” adds Corey who has a child, Valentina, 2, with partner Karin.
“This winter I spent a lot of time training in Italy only about 45 minutes away from Cortina. The people in Italy are friendly, it has good food, it is one of my favourite countries to ski in.”
The slopes at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre are expected to present different challenges to both Adam and Corey. Adam, who specialises in the technical events – giant slalom and slalom – says having twice previously raced on the hill it is a little “flatter” than others, so it requires a specific approach.
“It is a more mellow hill compared to what I have raced at other Games,” admits Adam of the challenge he faces should he like Corey secure selection. “There are a few work ons about trying to develop momentum on the flatter sections. It is maybe not an exhilarating slalom, so they’ve had to sacrifice some things here and there for their other events.”
For Corey – who specialises in the speed events – the downhill and super-G – the hill will provide a different examination. The 41-year-old, who hails from New Plymouth, has never raced at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre but he has free skied the resort there and he adds: “It is a challenging hill, steep in places, with not many flat sections. It is going to be tough. The bar is raised every four years as the quality of the field improves but it will be nice to race in a European country where skiing is more renowned.”
Both Corey and Adam – who live two minutes from each other in Wānaka – have also changed coaches from the previous Paralympic Winter Games – transitioning from Ben Adams to Daniel Bogue, the Lead Alpine Para Coach at Snow Sports NZ.
Adam performed well during the recent winter campaign in the Northern Hemisphere – picking up a pair of podium finishes and placed second overall in the FIS Para Alpine Slalom rankings.
“Dan is a really good technical coach and when I look back on the past couple of seasons it has gone well,” he adds. “It is exciting to see the hard work and dedication leading to real progression.”
For Corey, who also praises the technical expertise of Daniel, is in a slightly different phase of his preparation than Adam. After winning gold (Men’s Downhill Sitting) and silver in the Men’s Super-G Sitting in Beijing 2022, he opted to take the following season off following the birth of his daughter.
On his return he dislocated his shoulder while training in Chile in 2023 and then faced 12 months on the sidelines as he rehabilitated from the injury. Returning to competition for the 2024-25 Northern Hemisphere campaign, he admits he did not initially find the readjustment to the competitive realm easy.
“It was definitely nerve-wracking, and had a bit of anxiety around reinjuring myself,” he explains. “There was a nervousness when I was in the start gate.”
Thankfully, despite suffering the frustration of a number of cancelled races due to lack of snow, he has seen a gradual improvement. Finishing seventh, sixth and fifth in his first three races he finished on a high with a fourth and a third-place finish in Italy in a World Cup Super-G – to indicate a return to form.
“I have been slowly building to return to the podium positions,” he explains. “I would have preferred more races, but it has helped the preparation and confidence to make those improvements.”
Currently training in the gym five days a week in Wānaka the pair hope to be back on snow in New Zealand in the next couple of months with Adam looking forward to delivering his best in Milano Cortina 2026.
“If I’m lucky enough to be selected, it is always an honour and a privilege to compete at such a high-level event,” he explains. “The chance to showcase to the disabled and non-disabled community what is possible is something I look forward to. It shows that if you set yourself a dream, show dedication, then you can surprise yourself. I’m very fortunate to still be doing this after more than 20 years in the sport.”
