Aussie Biathletes Celebrate Milestone Efforts, As Parker Makes First Final

Lauren Parker made her first biathlon final at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games, while Matt Brumby and Taryn Dickens wrapped up their first Paralympic experiences by punching the air at the Tesero Sports Stadium in northern Italy.

Dave Miln had the heartbreaking result of finishing 25th in qualifying for the men’s sitting sprint pursuit, when only the top 24 progressed to the final.

“A little bit of a disappointment. I didn’t have a great day shooting – let myself down there,” Miln said. “It would have been nice to make the final but it wasn’t to be today.”

He will be back for the 20km cross-country on Sunday, the final event on the 2026 Para Nordic program. But Miln’s disappointment contrasted with Dickens’ and guide Lynn Maree Cullen’s happiness in crossing the finish line in 13th place in the women’s vision impaired sprint pursuit.

They joined hands, raised their arms and ski poles together, and let out a squeal of delight signifying a job well done over four Nordic events – three in biathlon and one cross-country.

“That was the intention to finish together on this one,” Dickens said.

“Regardless of how well we shot or how well we skied, I just wanted to cross the line for the last with Lynn because I wouldn’t be here without her.”

Cullen added: “And right back at you. I wouldn’t be here without you. It’s a mutual thing.”

Brumby similarly wrapped up his first Paralympic Games with a 27th in the men’s sitting sprint pursuit, bringing an end to a campaign that had its roots back in 2010, when he lost the use of his legs due to a rare spinal cord condition.

“It’s pretty cool that I can now say I’m a Paralympian. It only took me 16 years,” he said smiling, after just missing selection for the 2016 Rio Summer Games in Para triathlon.

“But it’s been an amazing ride. We only had two people in Nordic 20 years ago and we’ve got five here at these Games. That’s a testament to Biathlon Australian, Snow Australia and Paralympics Australia … they have been so supportive of their athletes – it’s insane.”

Parker’s debut Winter Games, after such success in Summer (two gold, two silvers from Tokyo and Paris), provided further green shoots with her third top 10 finish from her five events.

She finished 8th in women’s sitting sprint pursuit qualifying to earn her a spot in the final. But after a clean first round of shooting, she dropped two targets in the second forcing penalty loops, resulting in a 10th place finish.

“You have to move on quickly; forget it; cut it from your thinking,” Parker said of missing targets. “It’s probably good to know why you missed the shot and work on that.

“For me it’s the trigger-pull. I pull the trigger too hard and makes the rifle move off (target).

“I knew what I was doing wrong so for the next three shots I pulled the trigger lightly and got it dead-centre.

“Look, I didn’t expect to make a final here. It’s all experience. The more I race, the better I can get.”

Parker and Miln are the only two Australians entering the 20km cross country. Dickens-Cullen and Brumby have withdrawn due to load management and a few sore limbs/joints.

“I had another fall today so that means I’ve taken a tumble in every event I’ve been in, which means I have to come back for another round in 2030,” Dickens said.

“I’m keen and Lynn is probably very scared right now that I’m going to ask her.

“But for now it’s Games done, get home, have some family time, see my wife, take some time off the snow, and then probably do some summer sport.”

Dickens has identified rowing as a sport she is keen to explore with the 2032 Brisbane Paralympics in her sights and in her home town.

Cullen added: “It’s been a privilege guiding Taryn. We haven’t had that clean race yet but that’s probably because we push ourselves so hard.

“The crowd here has been fantastic and the support from home has been amazing. I think it’s so great people are learning about vision impaired sport and Para Nordic sport. We just hope seeing us here will encourage more people to get off the couch and have a go.”

Dickens then added: “Grass roots growth is so important and straight out of these Games we’ve got to build up the grass roots.”

That’s among the top take-aways Brumby has from his first Paralympics too.

“It’s been a big week and I’m super happy with how I’ve done. I came here and every day I left after giving everything in the tank I had,” he said.

“Moving forward I think we’ll have a strong team for the next Games and we’ll build on this.”

Brumby will also take a break from the snow and is contemplating another tilt at the world-famous Kona Ironman Championships in Hawaii later this year, where he won the Para title in 2019.

Margie McDonald, Paralympics Australia