CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy — The moment Kate Delson crossed the finish line, she looked for her time. Subconsciously, she reached for her heart as a huge smile came across her face — she had done it.
Before she knew it, she was being mobbed by her USA Snowboard teammates.
The youngest member of the U.S. Para Snowboard Team had won Paralympic gold in the banked slalom.
"It feels like winning," Delson said, smiling as she grabbed her teammate Brenna Huckaby. "With my best friend in beautiful weather, in a beautiful place."
Delson's paralympic debut caught the attention of the snowboard world when the 20-year-old led the 13-team field after a first-run time of 1:03.75, a number that held for almost the entire race. Snowboarders get two runs, with the top time counted toward the standings.
See the best photos from the 2026 Winter Paralympics starting with Lauren Parker of Team Australia participating in training ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games at Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium on March 5, 2026 in Val di Fiemme, Italy." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Check out the best photos of the 2026 Winter Paralympics
See the best photos from the2026 Winter Paralympicsstarting with Lauren Parker of Team Australia participating in training ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games at Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium on March 5, 2026 in Val di Fiemme, Italy.
With three racers to go, Delson's gold medal was in jeopardy. Lisa Bunschoten of the Netherlands delivered a clutch run of 1:03.53 to jump into first place. Cecile Hernandez of France couldn't top it; Huckaby improved her time to move into a medal position — but still fell short.
Described as fearless by fellow American teammates, Delson fired out of the gate to an immediate lead on Bunschoten. She raced as confidently as she did in her first run and did what she had to do. She delivered a 1:02.99.
Advertisement
Victory by 0.54 seconds for the United States and a second medal for Delson who had already etched her name into Paralympic history with a silver medal in the snowboard cross earlier in the week.
The Cortina Para Snowboard Park hosted a party-like atmosphere and even the athletes joined in on the fun. At one point, there was a dance party in between runs from athletes of all nations waiting on their turn in the biggest event of their lives.
Delson shared the podium with USA teammate and three-time Paralympian Huckaby, someone she said she deeply admires.
"Brennan's riding, I've said it before, and I'll say it again, it's on point. That's what she has to do for her to be up there with us girls," Delson said. "And it shows me that it's possible to put down such beautiful riding for me, no matter what; it inspires my riding."
Huckaby returned the praise to her younger teammate.
"This girl came out of nowhere and has just been crushing us, and it's awesome. I always say, we're waiting for the next generation," Huckaby said. "They're gonna come, and she's here, and not only is she here, she's a gold medalist Paralympian."
Alex Carpenter is a reporter for the Paralympics Project, a partnership between USA Today Network and the College of Communication and Information at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:USA's Kate Delson wins Paralympic gold, her second medal of 2026 Games
