'Today was special. It was something else': Aussie flag bearer wins silver medal at Paralympic Winter Games
Updated . First published at
Australian flag bearer Ben Tudhope has won silver in the men's snowboard cross SB-LL2 at the Paralympic Winter Games.
Just days after carrying the flag at the opening ceremony in Italy, he finished in second behind Emanuel Perathoner of Italy in the final.
"Today was special. It was something else," he told Nine's Today in the early hours of Monday morning (AEDT).
Watch the Winter Paralympic Games Milano Cortina 2026 live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now. Plus, every event live & on demand, every medal in 4K, and exclusive international coverage on Stan Sport.
"But to come away with that (medal) is absolutely incredible."
Tudhope won bronze at the last Games in Beijing and went one better in Italy this time.
To make the achievement all the more incredible, he had to recover from a dislocated shoulder suffered during the first heat.
"I felt my shoulder pop out, and it popped back in straight away," he explained.
Silver medalist Ben Tudhope, of Australia, left, with gold medalist Emanuel Perathoner, of Italy, and bronze medalist Lee Jehyuk, of South Korea, pose with their medals after the men's snowboard cross SB-LL2 final. AP
"That was in the first heat. I was terrified, you know, but that first heat was an absolute dog fight, I had to overtake two pretty strong competitors to get in there.
"After that it was just focus mode. Went back up, got my physio to strap my shoulder so much, and then (got) into semi finals and my semi final was probably the best race I've had."
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Tudhope's family was watching on as he crossed the finish line in second.
He says he felt the pressure to perform after his medal in Beijing, and the fact he was Australia's flag bearer this time around.
"It means the world," he said.
Gold medalist Emanuel Perathoner of Team Italy is congratulated by silver medalist Ben Tudhope of Team Australia. Getty Images for IPC
"Four years ago, Beijing was insane. I went in probably not expecting to medal.
"Going into this one there was a bit more pressure, a bit more expectation just being a medallist.
"To get it done on the day today is truly amazing, but it shows the four years of hard work and dedication I put into this.
"It's definitely a relief now I've had success."
Tudhope said he will "celebrate a bit tonight" before looking ahead to the banked slalom event later in the week.
