6 events in 9 days: Canadian Para nordic skier Hudak not letting lingering injury slow her down in Italy

After over a decade on the world stage, Canadian Para nordic skier Brittany Hudak is taking on one of her biggest challenges yet. Set to begin a marathon stretch of six events in nine days at the Paralympics in Italy, Hudak is facing a relentless schedule while still managing the longest injury of her career.

After suffering an off-season knee injury in 2024, Hudak had to alter her training approach and work tirelessly to get back to where she needs to be. She has three Paralympics under her belt, including the same heavy schedule four years ago in Beijing, but competing with a knee that’s still “on the mend” is an entirely different mountain to climb.

"I think my body’s been through it the last few years of high-performance sport. It kind of just wears you down,” Hudak told CBC Sports.

Hudak was diagnosed with a long-term overuse injury called Patellofemoral pain syndrome, part of the wear and tear that comes from a decade-plus career on skis. She switched to a more “strength-focused” training regimen and has been working with a physiotherapist, strength coach and massage therapist to try to get back to full health.

"I’m in a really fortunate position to have a good team behind me that works with me daily to kind of recognize what I need and what’s going to make that difference,” Hudak said.

It’s part of the reason why Hudak, now 32 years old, was still able to put together a remarkably consistent and successful 2025-26 Para biathlon World Cup season. The Prince Albert, Sask., native finished second in the overall rankings for the women’s standing division, behind Paralympic teammate Natalie Wilkie.

Hudak’s trademark endurance and sharp shooting on the range helped her finish third in the 12.5-kilometre individual