After more than ten years competing internationally, Canadian Para nordic skier Brittany Hudak is gearing up for one of her most significant challenges yet. As she prepares to embark on a demanding sequence of six events over nine days at the Paralympics in Italy, Hudak must navigate a grueling timetable while managing the longest injury of her career.
Following an off-season knee injury sustained in 2024, Hudak was compelled to adjust her training methods and dedicate herself to a rigorous recovery process to return to her peak performance. With three previous Paralympic experiences, including a similar intense schedule four years ago in Beijing, competing with a knee that is still “recovering” poses a completely different hurdle.
“My body has been through a lot in the past few years of high-performance sports. It really takes a toll on you,” Hudak shared with CBC Sports.
Hudak has been diagnosed with a chronic overuse condition known as Patellofemoral pain syndrome, a consequence of the wear and tear accumulated over her extensive skiing career. In response, she has shifted to a more “strength-focused” training program and collaborated with a physiotherapist, strength coach, and massage therapist to aid her recovery.
“I’m really lucky to have a supportive team that collaborates with me daily to understand my needs and what will make a difference,” Hudak remarked.
This support system has played a crucial role in Hudak’s ability to maintain an impressively consistent and successful 2025-26 Para biathlon World Cup season. The native of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, secured second place overall in the women’s standing category, right behind her Paralympic teammate Natalie Wilkie.
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Hudak’s renowned stamina and precise shooting skills allowed her to secure third place in the 12.5-kilometre individual competition at the World Cup Finals in Poland this past January, culminating a season where she earned three bronze medals despite her ongoing injury.
“I was lucky to have the opportunity to compete last season and this season, and my knee has definitely improved significantly over the past year, but it’s still in the healing process,” Hudak stated, noting her participation in Para cross-country events as well.
Another factor contributing to Hudak’s resilience during her recovery is her mental fortitude, which has garnered the admiration of head coach Brian McKeever, who is Canada’s most decorated Winter Paralympian.
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McKeever, attending his first Games as a coach after a career that included 20 Paralympic medals, emphasized that Hudak has taken charge of her rehabilitation journey.
“The key element is that she is driving her own recovery. Coaches and therapists can provide their insights, but ultimately, the athlete must take the initiative because they need to believe in the process,” McKeever commented.
“For her to assert, ‘this is now my rehabilitation,’ shows her ability to take ownership of her needs. This demonstrates maturity and her dedication to the process.”
Aiming for 4th Paralympic medal
As a co-captain of Canada’s Paralympic team, Hudak is on the hunt for her fourth Paralympic medal when the events commence at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium in Val di Fiemme on Saturday. She will participate in three biathlon and three cross-country events.
“In this sport, you can practice for many years and still be fine-tuning your skiing technique,” Hudak explained. “There are always minor adjustments or inefficiencies. That’s what keeps me coming back — the desire to improve.”
Hudak is no stranger to the Paralympic podium, having reached it at every Games except for her debut in Sochi, Russia, in 2014. She earned bronze in the 12.5km individual biathlon at the 2018 Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, and replicated that success in Beijing, where she also secured a bronze in the 15km classic cross-country event.
Hudak is scheduled to compete in the individual biathlon on Sunday at 7:10 a.m. ET, a key race that McKeever has marked on the calendar. This event features more shooting rounds and a greater distance than her other biathlon events — the sprint and sprint pursuit — which plays to Hudak’s strengths.
“She’s quite a diesel machine,” McKeever remarked. “You can send her out for extended workouts, and she just keeps going … When she’s on target, she’s an excellent shooter, and she’s also a formidable distance skier.”
However, the lineup of events in Italy will differ from 2022, as the long-distance cross-country race has been extended to 20km and changed from classic to free skate technique. This adjustment could work in Hudak’s favor.
“The discomfort she experienced was more pronounced in classic skiing,” McKeever noted. “Skating tends to be gentler on her body. It involves a slightly slower firing pattern for the kick compared to classic skiing.”
She is also set to participate in the 10km interval start classic and may join the 4×2.5km open or mixed cross-country relays on Saturday.
Hudak celebrates on the Paralympic podium during the ceremony for the women’s individual standing biathlon in 2022. (Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Hudak emphasized that achieving a return to the Paralympic podium will require more than just technical adjustments and training hours; it will also hinge on the mental resilience that has carried her through her most challenging moments during recovery.
“Honestly, it comes down to maintaining belief in myself. That’s the top priority. If you’re confident that you can win a race, you’re more inclined to do so,” Hudak expressed. “Having that confidence, paired with trusting your training and remembering that you’ve put in the work before the competition, is crucial.”
“Often, we start to worry about the minor details during competition, but the foundational work is already complete. Now it’s about executing your plan.”
Rocky Mountain High
Although the past year and a half has involved less intense race preparation for Hudak, who resides and trains in Canmore, Alberta, her passion for trail running has filled the void.
“Sport has taken me to the Rocky Mountains and has greatly influenced who I have become. Trail running has turned into a significant passion for me, contributing to a more active lifestyle and enhancing my mental health,” Hudak shared.
“I enjoy spending time outdoors, which makes the long training hours in my sport feel more manageable.”
This shift was a natural progression for Hudak, who has a background in cross-country running and track and field.
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According to McKeever, the mountains have become Hudak’s “happy place,” and her dedication to trail running has yielded positive results on race days.
“You can see the benefits of that conditioning in longer races. The base miles she has accumulated over the years have allowed her to remain in the optimal shape for competition,” McKeever noted.
As a longtime teammate, McKeever feels optimistic about Hudak’s preparedness with the Games approaching.
“I’m very optimistic about her current state … She’s entering the competition in good form, and I’m excited to see how she performs,” he stated.