Jake Adicoff Captures Third Milano Cortina Paralympic Gold in Mixed Relay as Oksana Masters Sets American Medal Record

Jake Adicoff capped his historic Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympics with a third gold medal performance in the Para cross-country mixed relay, joining teammates Oksana Masters, Joshua Sweeney, and Sydney Peterson in delivering another dominant United States victory while cementing his legacy as a trailblazing Paralympic champion.

The celebration proved as memorable as the race itself, with Masters tackling Adicoff to the ground in an emotional display of pure joy that highlighted the genuine bonds formed through Paralympic competition. The spontaneous moment replaced Adicoff's signature bow celebration with something even more authentic.

"It was initially a hug, and then she kind of put all her weight into it, and then all of a sudden I was on the ground," Adicoff explained with obvious amusement. "She goes crazy, she's got a lot of passion. She takes that to the race course and to the celebrations afterwards."

Masters' exuberant reaction reflected her excitement about Adicoff's pursuit of a clean sweep across cross-country skiing events at Milano Cortina. The veteran athlete's passionate support demonstrated the team-first mentality that defines Paralympic competition at the highest level.

"I'm a very passionate, aggressive person, and I was just so excited. I was so happy for Jake, because I know he's chasing that clean sweep in cross-country skiing," Masters explained. "To be able to do my part for him, it just felt so good that he is on his way to achieving his dreams."

The mixed relay victory provided Adicoff with a different competitive experience compared to his individual triumphs earlier in the week. The opportunity to observe his teammates' performances while contributing to collective success created what he described as his favorite aspect of Paralympic competition.

"The relay is really fun because you actually get to watch your teammates," Adicoff noted. "That's my favorite part of the day. And getting tackled by Oksana at the finish." His appreciation for team dynamics demonstrated how individual excellence can be enhanced through collaborative achievement.

Adicoff's third gold medal at Milano Cortina follows his breakthrough victories in the sprint classic race on Tuesday and the interval start classic on Wednesday. These performances established him as the first openly gay American male athlete to win Winter Paralympic gold, according to Team USA.

Throughout his Milano Cortina campaign, Adicoff has evolved his celebration style from his signature bows to more spontaneous expressions of joy. His willingness to innovate and engage with supporters has made him a crowd favorite while showcasing his authentic personality.

"I'm trying to think of something new every time," Adicoff said regarding his celebrations. "You've got to keep it fresh. You got to keep new ones coming. If anyone has any ideas, let me know." His openness to fan input demonstrates the connection he has established with Paralympic audiences.

Sunday's 20-kilometer interval start free race will provide Adicoff with one final opportunity to compete at Milano Cortina, potentially completing the clean sweep that has captured Masters' imagination. The event represents his last chance to extend what has already been a career-defining Paralympic performance.

Masters achieved her own historic milestone through Saturday's mixed relay victory, capturing her fourth gold medal at Milano Cortina while extending her Paralympic medal count to a record-breaking 23 across both Winter and Summer Games. The 36-year-old veteran now holds 18 winter medals and five summer medals.

"It feels so unreal. Four times just feels like a fake number right now. For it to be gold is just a dream," Masters reflected. Her continued excellence across multiple Paralympic cycles has established her as America's most decorated Paralympic athlete in any season.

Masters attributed her Italian success to the environment and culture, jokingly crediting "the air and the coffee, the pizza" for treating her well during these Games. Her lighthearted perspective masks the serious preparation and dedication that enables sustained Paralympic excellence across different disciplines.

The veteran athlete's remarkable versatility spans both winter and summer Paralympic competition, as she also competes in Para rowing and Para cycling during the Summer Games. Her ability to maintain elite performance across multiple sports demonstrates exceptional athletic ability and competitive drive.

Adicoff's Paralympic journey includes previous success at Beijing 2022, where he helped win the mixed relay and earned two silver medals, plus a silver from Pyeongchang 2018. His decision to come out of retirement following Pyeongchang proved prescient as his career reached new heights at Milano Cortina.

Born with vision impairment after contracting chicken pox in utero, Adicoff grew up in Sun Valley, Idaho, transitioning from Alpine to cross-country skiing when his parents recognized where his talents would best flourish. This early adaptation set the foundation for his eventual Paralympic dominance.

Adicoff represents one of five openly gay athletes competing for the United States at Milano Cortina, adding significance to his achievements beyond athletic performance. His success provides inspiration for LGBTQ+ athletes while demonstrating that authenticity and excellence can coexist at sport's highest levels.

As Adicoff prepares for his final race at Milano Cortina, the combination of individual excellence and team success has created the perfect conclusion to a breakthrough Paralympic campaign that will be remembered for both its historic achievements and its authentic human moments of celebration and connection.