We are incredibly proud and delighted to share the exciting news that Old Oakhamian Fred Warburton ('13) has been selected to represent Paralympics GB at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

Congratulations Fred! We wish you and your GB Guide James all the very best and we will all be cheering you on loudly from our lounge rooms, school common rooms, kitchens, dens - anywhere with access to a TV or the internet!

Here, in his own words, Fred describes his inspirational journey to the Games and his dreams and goals for the future.

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From Oakham School to the Paralympic Games

In 2019, after studying Product Design at Central Saint Martins, I received life-changing news, I attended what I thought was a routine appointment at Moorfields eye hospital and I was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, an incurable degenerative retinal condition. Doctors told me that I had just 20 degrees of useful vision and would eventually lose my sight.

Today, that has reduced to just six degrees, I use a white cane (known as Rick the stick) and I am coming to terms with the realities of living with sight loss.

Rather than stepping back, with great support from my friends and family, I chose to keep moving forward. I built a career in web design and software engineering, and worked for startups in healthtech and at several digital design agencies in London before becoming a Design Manager at Springer Nature three years ago.

An OO and Wharflands boy

My competitive spirit was shaped on the athletics track and rugby pitches on Doncaster close long before the mountains entered my life. An alumnus of 2013, I am an OO and a proud former member of Wharflands House. I represented the 1st XV in rugby and captained the athletics team, experiences that laid the foundations for what was to come.

I have fond memories of my time at Oakham, sport, camaraderie, a sprinkling of mischief and community played a central role in my school years.

A new direction

Skiing was not part of the original plan.

Three years ago, while on holiday in Italy, I skied with a guide for the first time. The experience changed my perspective. An activity that I thought I would no longer be able tom participate in once again felt accessible and barrier free. Competitive alpine skiing suddenly felt possible.

In 2024, I moved to Cervinia in Italy with my wife Micky. Not doing things by half, I found a coach, a house and committed fully to training as a visually impaired alpine skier.

I was paired with a GB guide, James Hannan, a university student and former ski racer. After a period out with injury, we competed in our first race together in February 2025. Results followed quickly. Within months we had climbed the world rankings and fought our way to the top ten in the world, we were crowned National Champions of Italy and the USA in Super G and Giant Slalom, and secured the all-important FIS points required for Paralympic qualification.

Our selection has now been confirmed. One year on from our first race, James and I will represent Paralympics GB at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

We are scheduled to compete in four alpine disciplines:

Men’s Visually Impaired Downhill, 7 March

Men’s Visually Impaired Super G, 9 March

Men’s Visually Impaired Super Combined, 10 March

Men’s Visually Impaired Giant Slalom, 13 March

The Games will be broadcast live on Channel 4 in the UK.

Beyond the finish line

While selection for Milano Cortina is a significant milestone, I view this as the start of a longer journey. Our goal is to win a Paralympic gold before the end of the decade.

Alongside our performance goals sits a much wider and much more important mission. When I first arrived in Valle d’Aosta, I struggled to find a guide. Access to winter sport for visually impaired athletes remains limited and very expensive. In response, we have partnered with a ski school in Cervinia to train six instructors in para alpine guiding, helping more visually impaired skiers access the slopes.

We are also working with Discesa Liberi, a non-profit organisation based in Piedmont, Italy to provide mountain experiences for disabled people at no cost.

The road to the Paralympics has required significant personal investment. Much of the campaign to date has been self-funded with support from family and a small number of partners.

Supporters who would like to contribute to the journey towards the mission and to Milano Cortina 2026 can do so here

From Wharflands House to the start gate of a Paralympic downhill, our journey has been full of ups and downs, it has taken ambition, a bit of craziness and a willingness to take bold life choices. I may have just six degrees of useful vision but I have a clear goal ahead, I am proud to represent Oakham School, Wharflands House and to compete on one of sport’s biggest stages in the colours of Great Britain.

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Good luck Fred, James and #TeamParalympicGB from your OO Community and all at Oakham School!