When Noah Elliott stood on top of the podium at the Milan Cortina Paralympics, the moment felt like a long time coming.

"We all love a good comeback story. But for me, it was really personal," Elliott said. Going into Beijing 2022 he'd been severely injured — later requiring a second amputation — and despite having the momentum to stand upon the podium prior to the injury, the pain was too much to overcome and he finished in 4th and 6th place. 

"I knew for a fact that [Milan Cortina] was my redemption season. I'm just so excited to get here and stand on that podium again. I wanted to see the U.S. flag be raised. And I'm so honored," he said.

At his first Games, the 2018 PyeongChang Paralympics, Elliott was a rising star. He took home a surprise gold and bronze medal in para snowboard cross and banked slalom after less than two years in the sport. This time around, as a nine-time world championship medalist (three gold, four silver and two bronze) he brings a veteran energy that hasn't lost any of his original exuberance. The 28-year-old sounded as stoked about his run as someone fresh from their first-ever attempts, describing the thrill he felt competing against the backdrop of the Northern Italian mountainscape. 

"I was just really, really excited. I rode that race very well," he said. "I knew that I needed to capitalize as much as I could on the top section, get as much speed as I could there, because I knew the bottom was going to be tough for me. It was some very fun racing."

With one event behind him, Elliott is focused on taking it all in as the Games progress. "Everyone's so phenomenal here, and the vibes are just so high," he said. He's enjoying the Northern Italian food, wine and culture, as well as finally spending time with so many para athletes. 

"We all follow each other through social media, but actually being here alongside them and getting to cheer them on, is so cool," he said. "At the end of the day, you get to go to the athlete dining hall, and you get to chat with them and ask them how their comp is, how their venue is. There's just a mutual understanding. We all know what it's like to compete at high-level competition and how stressful it can be. So, it's kind of comforting to be able to have all of us together."

There's something unique about a Paralympic or Olympic Games, in which athletes can intermingle, learn from each other, and develop lifelong friendships. Elliott emphasized how incredible the impact is when those athletes also have had to train with a disability. It's a connection he's used to in the boarding community. "Whether skateboarding, surfing or snowboard, it doesn't matter where you're from — if I see somebody else on a board, you're already best friends," he explained.

Beyond the Games, Elliott is an avid big mountain rider, and he's passionate about expanding the current scope of adaptive sports. "Right now, for the Paralympics, we only have two events. They're both racing," he said. "I really love to ride big mountain so just trying to help showcase more of that over the years — I'm excited for it."

While Elliott is looking forward to getting home to the comforts of familiar American life, for now he is laser focused on the banked slalom event set for Saturday March 14. He knows he has a real shot at the gold, and is eager to train on the course.

"I love banked slalom. I have a very big goal to get out there and win," he said. "But I'm really excited to get in there and do it regardless of how it pans out. I'm so proud, and just soaking up today and yesterday, with this medal that means so much to me."