Sit-skier Brian Rowland is eagerly anticipating the upcoming 2025-26 FIS season with a sense of rejuvenation. The Para alpine World Cup series is set to kick off on December 10 in Steinach am Brenner, Austria, marking the beginning of a season that will culminate with the highly anticipated Milano Cortina event.
Having participated in the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympics, Rowland, the lone male representative from Canada in his discipline, achieved mid-pack finishes in giant slalom and super-G. Looking ahead to the upcoming season, he expressed a heightened level of confidence compared to his previous Paralympic outing.
Since his Paralympic debut, Rowland has remained active in competitions, securing several podium finishes at Europa Cup and International FIS events last April. During the off-season, the athlete from Merrickville, Ont., diversified his activities by engaging in BMX biking, wakeboarding, and dirt biking, despite being paralyzed from the waist down following a motocross accident in 2015.
In addition to his athletic pursuits, Rowland volunteers with Ski Ability Ottawa, offering individuals the opportunity to participate in waterskiing activities. He also mentors students through the Classroom Champions program, guiding them towards achieving their goals and aspirations.
Rowland made a strong start to the season by clinching a silver medal in giant slalom at the Southern Hemisphere Cup in September. Reflecting on his past performances and looking forward to upcoming competitions, he aims to further excel on the slopes and accumulate more FIS points.
Despite the challenges he faces, Rowland remains resilient, always getting back up after a fall and pushing forward. He is gearing up to compete alongside his Alpine Canada teammates in Austria this December, with his sights set on improving his performance at Milano Cortina following a previous setback in 2023.
Encouraging viewers to tune in to the Paralympic Games, Rowland emphasizes the unique and captivating nature of sit-skiing, urging people to witness the sport’s excitement and challenges firsthand. As he prepares for the Winter Games’ Slalom events against top sit-skiers worldwide, Rowland’s determination and passion for the sport make him a compelling athlete to watch.
Before departing for training at Panorama Mountain Resort in British Columbia, Rowland’s message to Canadians is simple: “Tune in.”
