Brittany Hudak Achieves Fourth Paralympic Medal Milestone
Prince Albert's Brittany Hudak has solidified her status as one of Canada's most decorated Paralympic athletes by earning her fourth medal at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games. The 32-year-old cross-country skier captured bronze in the women's standing 10-kilometre event, adding to her impressive collection of podium finishes.
Challenging Conditions and Triumphant Performance
Hudak completed the demanding interval course at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium in Val di Fiemme, Italy, with a time of 32 minutes and one second. She finished approximately two minutes behind gold medalist Sydney Peterson of the United States and silver medalist Vilde Nilsen of Norway.
"The conditions were tough, but I really just tried to embrace that. I knew it was the same for everyone. To get a bronze medal here feels really great," Hudak told The Canadian Press following her race.
A Consistent Paralympic Career
This latest achievement marks Hudak's fourth podium appearance across four consecutive Paralympic Games:
- 2018 PyeongChang: Bronze in 15 km cross-country
- 2022 Beijing: Two bronze medals (12.5 km biathlon and 15 km cross-country)
- 2026 Milano Cortina: Bronze in 10 km cross-country
Hudak made her Paralympic debut at Sochi 2014 and has steadily built an impressive record of consistency and excellence in para nordic sports.
Background and Training
A native of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Hudak completed her bachelor of social work at the University of Regina in 2019. She now resides in Alberta and trains at the world-class Canmore Nordic Centre. As one of the co-captains of the 2026 Canadian Paralympic Team, Hudak serves as both a competitor and leader for her fellow athletes.
"I was really happy with my races at the start of the Games and I really feel like my fitness is there, the technique is there. It's really just kind of putting together a good race," Hudak explained regarding her preparation and performance.
Additional Competitions and Results
Prior to her bronze medal performance in the 10 km cross-country event, Hudak placed sixth in the women's biathlon sprint and fifth in the biathlon individual competition. She remains scheduled to compete in the women's biathlon sprint pursuit and 20 km cross-country interval start events as the Games continue.
Hudak's achievement represents another proud moment for Canadian Paralympic sports and demonstrates the dedication and perseverance required to maintain elite performance across multiple Paralympic cycles.
