Menna Fitzpatrick on the importance of her guide, why she values her kit and her aims for her third Paralympic Games at Milano Cortina 2026

2026-03-09

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Menna Fitzpatrick MBE is one of Great Britain’s most decorated Para Alpine skiers, racing at close to 90km/h with around five percent vision.Menna explains what she can actually see on the slope — often little more than a white “playing field” and the bright pink jacket of her guide, Katie. She breaks down how their communication works at speed, why tone matters as much as the words, and how trust is built not just on snow but through everyday moments — from navigating a restaurant to adventures like canyoning...

Menna Fitzpatrick MBE is one of Great Britain’s most decorated Para Alpine skiers, racing at close to 90km/h with around five percent vision.

Menna explains what she can actually see on the slope — often little more than a white “playing field” and the bright pink jacket of her guide, Katie. She breaks down how their communication works at speed, why tone matters as much as the words, and how trust is built not just on snow but through everyday moments — from navigating a restaurant to adventures like canyoning, go-karting and hiking to Everest Base Camp.

She talks about her breakthrough seasons — including Crystal Globe success — and the reality of coming back from major injuries, where the hardest part is often the mental recovery. Looking ahead to Milano Cortina 2026 after a serious injury setback in December, Menna shares a clear focus: trust the process, get back to the start gate, and leave the Games with no regrets.

We catch up with Menna from a gym in Edinburgh during the ParalympicsGB team kitting out ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

Produced by the creators of the Emmy Award-winning Rising Phoenix, in official partnership with Milano Cortina 2026 and supported by Procter & Gamble, a worldwide Paralympic partner.

This is a Harder Than You Think production.

Host: Matt Stutzman

Producers: Calum Campbell and Vanessa Wheeler

Video Editor: Nic Woinilowicz

Audio Post Production: String and Tins

Sound Editor: Culum Simpson

Remote Recording Engineer: George Hinson

Audio Producer: Esi Jonuzi

Executive Producers: Greg Nugent and Barnaby Spurrier

The podcast’s soundtrack is titled “Rising Phoenix” - Written by Daniel Pemberton, Keith Jones, Toni Hickman and George Doman. Performed by Daniel Pemberton, Toni Hickman, georgetragic, and Keith Jones. Published by Alika’s Publishing, Doman Development, Moncur Street Music Limited, administered by peermusic (UK) Ltd.

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