Two Oregon alpine skiers race for gold in the 2026 Paralympics

Zoom in: Soens, a Portland native who now lives in Bend, has incomplete paralysis below the hips after a rock-climbing accident at a Portland gym in 2015, per OPB.

• Three years later, she became the first paraplegic woman to summit Mount Hood, reaching the top of Oregon's highest peak with her father.
• This will mark her Paralympic debut, where she's qualified for the slalom, giant slalom, super G, downhill and alpine combined.
• "There are people doing really exceptional things, and I think it's important to get that message out," Soens told KGW.

Drugan grew up in Eugene and lost both legs above the knee in 2004 after being struck by a train.

• His parents introduced him to alpine skiing through Oregon Adaptive Sports, and he has been a consistent presence on the U.S. Para Alpine circuit since he competed at the 2022 Beijing Paralympics.
• "I'm more capable than the average person when I'm on the mountain skiing," Drugan told KGW. "It gave me a complete freedom to do what I want."

The big picture: Both are members of the National Ability Center's High Performance Para Alpine Team, which placed 12 athletes on national rosters for these Games.

• Drugan is a veteran of the circuit; for Soens, Italy marks her Paralympic debut.
• "Anna being here this year is just proof" that anyone can reach this level, Drugan said of his teammate, per KGW.

What's next: Skiing events get underway Saturday, with coverage across NBC stations and streaming on Peacock.

• Find the full schedule of events here.