Sit-skier Brian Rowland is eagerly anticipating the 2025-26 FIS season, feeling revitalized and prepared. The Para alpine World Cup series commences on December 10 in Steinach am Brenner, Austria, with athletes like Rowland gearing up for a season leading to the significant event of Milano Cortina.
At the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympics, Rowland, the sole male competitor from Canada in his discipline, achieved a mid-pack finish in giant slalom and super-G. Now, four years later, he is gearing up to hit the slopes once again, expressing a newfound sense of confidence compared to his previous Games experience.
Since his Paralympic debut, Rowland has remained active in competitive skiing, securing several podium finishes at Europa Cup and International FIS competitions last April. During the off-season, the athlete from Merrickville, Ont., engaged in various activities to satisfy his need for speed, including acquiring a BMX bike, wakeboarding, and returning to dirt biking despite being paralyzed from the waist down since a motocross incident in 2015.
Rowland also remains committed to giving back to his community through volunteering with Ski Ability Ottawa, providing opportunities for individuals to participate in waterskiing. Additionally, he mentors young students through the Classroom Champions program to help them achieve their goals.
Returning to the slopes this fall after competing in the Southern Hemisphere Cup in September, Rowland clinched a silver medal in giant slalom, marking his strongest season start to date. Despite the challenges of competitive racing, he remains focused on improving his performance and accumulating more FIS points.
Looking ahead to his upcoming competitions, Rowland reflects on past experiences in Italy and sets his sights on better performances this season. He hopes to secure a podium finish and represent Canada proudly on the global stage. Rowland emphasizes the importance of raising awareness for Paralympic sports, urging people to tune in and witness the unique and inspiring nature of sit-skiing.
Transitioning from snowboarding to sit-skiing following his accident, Rowland embraces the challenges of the sport and looks forward to competing in the Winter Games’ Slalom events against top sit-skiers worldwide. As he prepares for training at Panorama Mountain Resort in British Columbia, Rowland encourages Canadians to support him by tuning in to the upcoming competitions in March.