As the world’s top adaptive winter athletes gather in northern Italy for the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games, Oregon has emerged as a quiet but proud contributor to Team USA’s presence on the global stage. Two athletes with deep ties to the state, Anna Soens of Bend and Ravi Drugan of Eugene, are competing in the alpine skiing events at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, bringing attention to Oregon’s growing influence in adaptive sports.
The Paralympic Games officially opened in early March across several historic winter sport venues in Italy, including the legendary alpine slopes of Cortina d’Ampezzo. The international event features more than six hundred athletes from dozens of nations competing across multiple winter sports, including alpine skiing, snowboarding, biathlon, cross country skiing, wheelchair curling, and para ice hockey. The competition represents the highest level of international sport for athletes with physical disabilities and is widely recognized as one of the most inspiring showcases of athletic determination in the world.
Among those athletes are two competitors whose journeys to the Paralympic stage began far from the European Alps.
Anna Soens, who now lives in Bend, has quickly risen through the ranks of international adaptive skiing after entering the sport following a serious rock climbing accident more than a decade ago. The accident resulted in incomplete paralysis below the hips, forcing Soens to rebuild her athletic identity and ultimately introducing her to para alpine skiing. Competing in a monoski, a specialized seated ski that allows athletes with lower body impairments to maneuver using upper body strength and balance, Soens rapidly developed into one of the emerging talents within the U.S. Para Alpine program.
Her path to the Paralympics included strong finishes in international competitions and consistent performances on the world circuit, ultimately earning her a place representing the United States in Italy. For many in Oregon’s outdoor and adaptive sports communities, her appearance at the Games represents both a personal triumph and a reflection of the state’s long standing culture of outdoor recreation and resilience.
Ravi Drugan of Eugene arrives at the Paralympics with an equally remarkable story. Drugan lost both legs above the knee following a train accident in 2004, a life altering event that reshaped his path but did not end his pursuit of athletic achievement. Over time he discovered adaptive sports and began training in alpine skiing, eventually progressing through national development programs and elite competitions that led to his selection for the U.S. Para Alpine Team.
Early competition results from the alpine downhill event placed Drugan among the top competitors in his classification, demonstrating the high level of skill required to compete on the steep and technical Paralympic courses of Cortina.
Their participation reflects the growing role Oregon plays in the development of adaptive athletes. Programs across the state, including organizations dedicated to adaptive outdoor recreation, have helped create pathways for individuals with disabilities to participate in skiing and other sports. These programs provide specialized instruction, equipment, and mentorship, helping athletes transition from recreational participation to international competition.
The Milano Cortina Paralympic Games will continue through mid-March, with alpine events taking place on some of the same legendary slopes used during previous Olympic competitions. As the races unfold over the coming days, Oregonians have two athletes to watch closely, each carrying the spirit of the Pacific Northwest to the mountains of Italy and reminding the world that perseverance and determination often begin far from the spotlight.