CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — Kate Delson didn’t arrive at the 2026 Winter Paralympics with expectations. She arrived with gratitude.
At just 20 years old, the San Diego native left Italy with two medals — gold in the banked slalom SB-LL2 and silver in snowboard cross — and the unmistakable feeling that her life had changed. In a Games filled with established champions, Delson emerged as one of Team USA’s breakout stars, a newcomer who rode her way into the spotlight with poise well beyond her years.
“I’m just trying to take it all in,” Delson said, reflecting on a whirlwind debut that quickly turned into a career-defining moment.
Her journey to the Paralympic podium began years earlier on the slopes of Mammoth Mountain. Delson first stepped onto a snowboard around age seven, instantly falling in love with the sport. What started as a childhood obsession grew into something much bigger — a passion that would eventually carry her to the world stage.
That path, however, was never conventional.
Delson was born with a congenital disability that left her missing most of the muscles in her right leg, including her calf. But on a snowboard, she found something powerful — a sense of freedom and identity that shaped her outlook on life.
“I’m out here riding a snowboard … and I have so much support,” she said. “Gratitude is like a superpower.”
That perspective became her foundation in Italy.
Delson opened her Paralympic campaign by winning silver in snowboard cross, a fast, physical event that demands both precision and fearlessness. It was an impressive debut, but it was only a preview of what was to come.
Days later, she delivered her defining performance in the banked slalom. Navigating a technical course filled with turns and rhythm sections, Delson posted the fastest time in the field to claim gold, announcing herself as one of the sport’s rising stars.
“I crossed the finish line and I was really proud,” she said. “This medal is just as much my family’s as it is mine.”
Family has always been central to Delson’s journey. From those early days in Mammoth to the Paralympic stage in Italy, their support helped provide the foundation that made her success possible. For Delson, the moment wasn’t just about personal achievement — it was shared.
“I had everything I needed to do,” she said. “I had all the resources, all the support. I just had to execute.”
Despite her rapid rise, Delson still views herself as a newcomer in a tight-knit para snowboarding community. She credits teammates like Brenna Huckaby and Noah Elliott — both Paralympic champions — for helping guide her along the way.
“I’ll be riding with them and think, ‘I’m with some of the best snowboarders in the world,’” she said. “That’s pretty awesome.”
Her introduction to the sport came not long ago. Around the time she was finishing high school, Delson connected with para snowboarders through social media and competitions. What began as curiosity quickly turned into commitment.
“I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it,” she said. “Then I was like, ‘OK, we’re going for the Paralympics.’”
She hasn’t looked back since.
Delson’s success in Milano Cortina signals the arrival of a new generation in para snowboarding — one that blends elite performance with authenticity and joy. Even in the intensity of competition, she never lost sight of why she started.
“I’m soaking in every moment,” she said. “I’m riding a snowboard for a living right now. That’s pretty special.”
Her focus now shifts to what’s ahead. Delson is eager to continue progressing, whether it’s refining her racing or spending more time in the terrain park pushing her limits. She knows there is still room to grow — and that’s what excites her most.
“I have so much work to do,” she said. “That’s what I’m addicted to — getting better.”
There is also a bigger stage on the horizon. With the Paralympics coming to Los Angeles in 2028, Delson has a chance to compete in front of a home crowd in Southern California — a full-circle moment for the region’s lone representative on Team USA’s winter roster.
“I would love to be there,” she said.
For now, though, she’s still holding onto the moment.
Delson admits that in the past, she sometimes struggled to fully appreciate her accomplishments. But this time is different. This medal — these medals — carry a deeper meaning.
“This one means so much more,” she said. “I can proudly say I’m very proud of it.”
Because for Kate Delson, the story isn’t just about winning gold. It’s about the journey, the people who made it possible, and the gratitude that carried her there — one run, one turn, one moment at a time.