In 2003, Ripa met her future husband Ronnie Pettersson, whose athletic interests motivated her to return to sport.
This time she participated in cycling, paddling and skiing.
In 2011 in Tjejvasan, Ripa competed in her first cross-country skiing event.
In 2012, she qualified for Sweden's cross-country national team.
Following several good results, she placed sixth in the Total World Cup IPC Nordic Skiing 2012/13.

At the 2014 Paralympics in Sochi, Russia, Ripa won a gold medal in the 15 km classic cross-country event.
It was her first Paralympic start as a competitive skier.
By winning the event, she became Sweden's first Paralympic Winter Games gold medalist since the 1994 Winter Paralympics in Lillehammer.
In the mixed relay, Ripa competed with Zebastian Modin and they won a silver medal.
Ripa was nominated for Bragdguldet, Jerringpriset ("The Jerring Award") and "Achievement of the Year" at the Svenska Idrottsgalan ("Swedish Athletics Gala") for her success at the 2014 Games.
In 2003, Ripa met her future husband Ronnie Pettersson, whose athletic interests motivated her to return to sport. This time she participated in cycling, paddling and skiing. In 2011 in Tjejvasan, Ripa competed in her first cross-country skiing event. In 2012, she qualified for Sweden's cross-country national team. Following several good results, she placed sixth in the Total World Cup IPC Nordic Skiing 2012/13.
At the 2014 Paralympics in Sochi, Russia, Ripa won a gold medal in the 15 km classic cross-country event. It was her first Paralympic start as a competitive skier. By winning the event, she became Sweden's first Paralympic Winter Games gold medalist since the 1994 Winter Paralympics in Lillehammer. In the mixed relay, Ripa competed with Zebastian Modin and they won a silver medal. Ripa was nominated for Bragdguldet, Jerringpriset ("The Jerring Award") and "Achievement of the Year" at the Svenska Idrottsgalan ("Swedish Athletics Gala") for her success at the 2014 Games.
Helene Ripa